LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed rookie Sasaki on the injured list due to a right shoulder issue, which he reported after his last game.
In his recent outing against Arizona, he pitched four innings and allowed five runs, throwing a total of 61 pitches.
Manager Dave Roberts noted, “He felt some pain afterward, and we’re trying to figure out what’s normal and what isn’t.” It seems there’s a need to ensure he’s in good health before he returns. Currently, Sasaki’s record stands at 1-1 with an ERA of 4.72 over eight starts.
He’s notched 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings but has yielded a .225 batting average against him.
Originally scheduled to pitch against the Athletics on Thursday, the young Japanese player joined the Dodgers in January after spending four years with the Chibalotte Marines in the Nippon Professional Baseball League. Known for throwing 100 mph back home, he made quite a splash during his MLB debut with the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo.
However, there seems to be a notable dip in his velocity lately, with his fastball hitting the mid-90s instead of the upper range, which has raised some concerns.
Roberts added, “We’re still gathering information. It’s crucial for us to ensure he’s performing at his best, meeting both his and our expectations.
In his Dodger Stadium debut, Sasaki struggled with control and left the mound after just two innings, visibly upset, as shown in the Japanese broadcast.
This injury adds to the challenges the Dodgers face in their rotation, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow also sidelined. Thankfully, Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut on Saturday after beginning his season on the injured list.
To fill the void, the Dodgers have recalled right-hander JP Feyereisen for his second stint with the team this season.
