The Los Angeles Dodgers have placed pitcher Roki Sasaki on the 15-day injured list due to a shoulder impingement, following an outing in which he struggled against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sasaki reported arm discomfort after giving up five runs on five hits and two walks in four innings without recording a strikeout. His performance has left him with a 4.72 earned run average in his first eight major league starts, reflecting a concerning strikeout/walk rate that ranks among the lowest in the league.
This has certainly not been the start Sasaki had hoped for in the MLB after showcasing his talent in Japan, where he posted a remarkable 2.10 ERA and nearly 33% strikeout rate over four seasons. Despite these challenges, the 23-year-old is still regarded as one of the sport’s promising young talents.
The Dodgers have called up reliever J.P. Feyereisen from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the gap left by Sasaki. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that veteran pitcher Clayton Kershaw is set to return to the rotation this Saturday, joining a starting lineup that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, and Landon Knack. Given Sasaki’s scheduled start on Thursday, the Dodgers could opt for May or Gonsolin, both of whom would be on regular rest after a recent off day.
It’s important for the Dodgers to address Sasaki’s health while maintaining their competitive edge. The organization has faced similar injury issues in the past, emphasizing the need for careful management of their young pitchers. With Kershaw’s return and sufficient depth in the rotation, the Dodgers have an opportunity to recalibrate and support Sasaki when he is ready to return.