Roki Sasaki
Breakdown
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September 27, 2025
Pops triple digits on radar gun
Sasaki recorded the second hold of his career in Friday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, giving up one hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh inning.
Analysis
It's been a tough first North American season overall for Sasaki, who has only been healthy enough to throw 36.1 innings, but he appears to be back to 100 percent as he works a high-leverage relief role for the Dodgers headed into the playoffs. The right-hander topped out at 100.1 mph with his fastball Friday, and he's fanned four batters in two shutout innings since being activated from the IL on Sept. 24. If closer Tanner Scott falters in the postseason, Sasaki could find himself in some very high-pressure situations in October.
September 25, 2025
Shines in first career relief outing
Sasaki notched a hold against Arizona on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect seventh inning.
Analysis
Sasaki was the first reliever Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used after Blake Snell allowed just one run over six innings. The appearance was Sasaki's first out of the bullpen in the majors after beginning his career with eight starts. The right-hander not only got through a clean inning, he looked dominant in doing so, striking out two of the three batters he faced and notching three whiffs on 13 pitches. Roberts is seeking answers to patch up a beleaguered bullpen that blew its 27th save of the season Wednesday, so Sasaki could be handed a pretty prominent high-leverage role in the playoffs if he's able to consistently pitch the way he did in his initial relief appearance.
September 24, 2025
Officially activated
The Dodgers reinstated Sasaki (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Analysis
After posting a 6.10 ERA across 20.2 innings during his rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sasaki will rejoin the Dodgers' pitching staff for the first time since injuring his shoulder in May. He's slated to work out of the bullpen to finish the 2025 campaign, taking the place of Kirby Yates (hamstring), who was placed on the injured list in a corresponding move.
September 23, 2025
Returning Wednesday
The Dodgers will reinstate Sasaki (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Sasaki hasn't pitched in the majors since May due to a right shoulder impingement. He's been making rehab appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City since mid-August, however, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.60 WHIP alongside a 19:13 K:BB through 20.2 innings. Once activated, the 23-year-old righty is expected to work out of the bullpen -- likely as a middle reliever, considering he carries a 4.72 ERA in 34.1 innings with the Dodgers this season.
September 22, 2025
Could be activated this week
Sasaki (shoulder) will join the Dodgers in Arizona during their upcoming road trip and could be activated off the IL to join the big-league bullpen, though he won't be available to pitch until at least Wednesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Sasaki recently shifted to a relief role in his rehab stint and has looked great through two subsequent outings with Triple-A Oklahoma City, tossing a pair of hitless and scoreless frames while posting a 3:1 K:BB. Since his most recent appearance took place Sunday, the Dodgers won't put him on the mound again until at least Wednesday, but even in that scenario he'd still have time to make a couple major-league appearances before the end of the regular season if he's activated. Los Angeles' bullpen has been its weak point of late, so the team could look to Sasaki to shore up what has been an inconsistent relief corps, though that would be a risk in itself since the rookie hurler has (until the recent pair of rehab outings) worked exclusively as a starter throughout his professional career, both in the US and in his native Japan.