With the regular season down to its final stretch, the Dodgers are preparing to bring Roki Sasaki back from the 15-day injured list, and the plan now points to a start rather than an immediate bullpen assignment.
Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Sasaki, who has been sidelined by a blister on the middle finger of his right hand, is in line to pitch soon. The exact date is still up in the air, but Roberts made it clear the right-hander is expected to take the ball as a starter when he returns.
“Roki’s in a good spot, Roki is anxious to pitch. As we sit here on Friday, I could see him back in there soon,” Roberts said. “I’m not sure what day, but I see him starting a game.”
Sasaki’s most recent step was a 48-pitch live batting practice session over four innings this past Wednesday, which served as the latest test for the finger issue. Roberts said earlier in the week that the outing went smoothly and that Sasaki was able to use Dermabond, which is legal in a game.
“Pitched with the Dermabond, which he can use legally in a game. He came out of it well,” Roberts noted earlier in the week.
“So we’ve got to huddle up here and figure out what’s his role? The No. 1 thing is he came out of the session well.
Now we’ve got to figure out how to plug him in. He’s going to be important.
I just don’t know right now in what role.”
That role had already been a point of uncertainty before Blake Snell exited his start early with left groin tightness. While there is optimism about Snell’s outlook, the injury nudged the Dodgers toward keeping Sasaki in the rotation for now, even though a role change had previously seemed likely.
Still, Roberts acknowledged the Dodgers could eventually move Sasaki into the bullpen if that’s where they decide he fits best for October.
“That’s the great thing about the question. There’s benefit both ways,” Roberts said.
“One could argue it’s best to take down a couple starts, keep him built up because if something does happen, he’s built up. The other side is you can assimilate him to the ‘pen and get comfortable in that role, if that is the role.”
That flexibility remains part of the equation. The Dodgers are planning for Sasaki to return as a starter, but a bullpen move could follow. Last season, the Dodgers used him in two relief appearances during the final week as an audition and a tune-up for the role he ultimately filled in October.
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