Rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday amid a spate of bullpen breakdowns ahead of the postseason. His first appearance was encouraging, to say the least.
With the Dodgers up 3-1 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning, Sasaki threw a scoreless frame of relief with two strikeouts and a groundout against the back half of the Arizona lineup, on only 13 pitches. Just as importantly, his fastball sat at 99 mph after averaging only 96 mph earlier in the season.
He maxed out at 100 mph.
The Dodgers activated Sasaki from the 60-day injured list earlier Wednesday, sending reliever Kirby Yates to the IL with a hamstring strain in a corresponding move. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke about the moves with reporters and confirmed that Sasaki would work out of the bullpen. He’ll have a chance over the last five games of the season to earn a role for the postseason roster.
Sasaki, who joined the Dodgers from Japan in the offseason amid much fanfare, last pitched for Los Angeles on May 9. The Dodgers sent him to the injured list with a shoulder impingement on May 13, after a disappointing month in the big leagues.
The hope in Los Angeles now is that Sasaki can overcome his early-season struggles and contribute to bullpen that needs help. Roberts was asked Wednesday what he expects to see out of Sasaki.
“Convicted throws, knowing that it’s gonna be short bursts, certainly, compared to what he’s been used to,” Roberts said. “I just think that giving everything that he has for an inning or two at a time, that’s kind of what I see.
“And let the performance play out. Just go after guys and be on the attack.”
A 23-year-old phenom, Sasaki joined the Dodgers as part of their starting rotation. He made just eight starts before ultimately landing on the injured list. He struggled in those starts while producing a 4.72 ERA and 1.485 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and 22 walks issues in 34 1/3 innings.
His velocity was a major red flag, as Sasaki was nowhere close to the speeds he was posting during his best years in Japan. That was a known issue when the Dodgers signed him, as Sasaki reportedly questioned potential suitors on what they believed to be the source of his downturn in velocity in his final season with the Chiba Lotte Marines.
With his fastball only in the mid-90s, opponents feasted on it, slugging .494 against the offering while whiffing only 10.1%. Wednesday included an encouraging development on that front, as the D-backs swung only twice at Sasaki’s fastball and whiffed both times.
The Dodgers bullpen, meanwhile, has experienced multiple meltdowns in the stretch run of the season. As of Tuesday, relievers Tanner Scott and Blake Treinen accounted for each of the Dodgers’ seven losses since Sept. 4.
FILE – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki warms up before a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Aug. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh, File)
(ASSOCIATED PRESS)
The Dodgers have clinched a playoff berth and entered Wednesday with a two-game lead over the Padres in the race for the NL West. But their bullpen woes are of significant concern as they seek to repeat as World Series champions. Sasaki’s return provides another option to shore up the bullpen. But only if he delivers down the stretch and earns a postseason role.
Roberts, meanwhile, didn’t rule out a return for Yates in the postseason. But he’s been a significant part of the Dodgers’ bullpen struggles.
An All-Star with the Rangers in 2024, Yates joined the Dodgers on a one-year, $13 million contract in the offseason. He’s posted a 5.23 ERA in 50 appearances this season.
Roberts cited his hamstring injury for his struggles, which he said that Yates has been dealing with for “quite some time.”
“We’re gonna retroactive him and try go get him back for something down the road,” Roberts said.
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