Already navigating a wave of injuries in their starting rotation, the Los Angeles Dodgers were dealt another blow in mid-May when rookie sensation Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list. Sasaki, who had been quietly pitching through discomfort, was officially diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement — the same issue he dealt with last year during his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
The setback came at a time when the Dodgers were already without key arms in Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, and still awaiting Clayton Kershaw’s long-anticipated 2025 debut.
Sasaki’s Injury Timeline and Current Progress
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially announced that Sasaki would need multiple weeks of rest before beginning any baseball activities. That recovery window has now passed, and there’s finally a sign of forward momentum. According to The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Roberts confirmed that Sasaki will begin a throwing progression this week — marking the first step toward ramping back up.
“Roki Sasaki will start a throwing progression next week,” Roberts told reporters, noting it’s the crucial first stage in his return.
Sasaki’s IL stint officially began on May 13, two days after his roughest outing of the season — a start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in which he allowed five earned runs, issued two walks, and recorded no strikeouts in just over four innings. That game is believed to be the last time the 23-year-old threw off a mound.
Roberts also revealed the team wasn’t aware Sasaki had been pitching through shoulder discomfort until after that outing. The organization has since opted to use his IL stint not only for rest but as an opportunity to revisit his mechanics, hoping a refined delivery might help alleviate the physical stress contributing to his decline in fastball velocity.
Stats and Struggles So Far
Sasaki has shown flashes of brilliance in his first MLB season, but consistency has eluded him. Over eight starts, the right-hander holds a 4.42 ERA with 24 strikeouts and a 1.485 WHIP. While the raw talent is clearly present, the Dodgers were always aware that Sasaki, fresh from Nippon Professional Baseball, was a long-term investment rather than a finished product.
Speaking on his time away, Sasaki acknowledged the importance of healing and recalibration.
“I do feel like this is a good time to do that,” Sasaki said. “So I want to make sure that I’m fully healthy and to be able to address anything that I had so that it leads to better performance.”
Los Angeles Dodgers Rotation Still in Flux
As of now, the Dodgers have not set a definitive timetable for Sasaki’s return, preferring not to place added pressure on the young pitcher. Given that he’s only just beginning a throwing program, a return within the next month seems optimistic at best.
Meanwhile, uncertainty continues to cloud the rest of the rotation. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell remain sidelined with shoulder issues of their own, and while Clayton Kershaw made his first appearance of the season on May 17, the veteran’s usage is being carefully managed.
For the Dodgers, who signed Sasaki knowing development would take time, this pause may prove to be a turning point. As the team works to stabilize its rotation, the hope is that Sasaki returns healthier, more mechanically sound, and better prepared for the long haul.