Once a major offseason headline who had faded into the background, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki is now poised for a potential late-season comeback that could provide a significant boost to the team’s World Series aspirations. After being sidelined for months with a shoulder impingement, the Japanese phenom is progressing well in his throwing program and could rejoin the active roster by the end of August.
Sasaki’s arrival in Los Angeles this past winter was met with immense anticipation. The 23-year-old right-hander, signed for a modest $6.5 million bonus, was billed as a future ace, armed with a triple-digit fastball and a devastating splitter. However, his initial foray into Major League Baseball was a struggle. In eight starts before his injury, Sasaki posted an underwhelming 4.72 ERA, battling command issues that resulted in nearly as many walks (22) as strikeouts (24) over 34 ⅓ innings. His fastball velocity, a key part of his hype, averaged only 96 mph, and he surrendered six home runs.
A shoulder impingement sent him to the injured list, and for much of the summer, his contribution to the Dodgers’ 2025 campaign seemed lost. According to a report from the Los Angeles Times, his early rehab was slow, even requiring a pain-relieving injection in June. Lately, however, the narrative has shifted dramatically. Sasaki has advanced to facing live hitters in batting practice sessions and has a three-inning simulated game scheduled for this week, after which a minor-league rehab assignment is likely.
The Dodgers’ coaching staff is encouraged by the adjustments he has made during his time away. Pitching coach Mark Prior noted that Sasaki has cleaned up his arm path, which was likely affected by the shoulder issue. “What we saw early on is probably not indicative of what everybody expects and has seen from him in the past when he’s been 100%,” Prior said. A significant development has been the addition of a two-seam fastball to his arsenal, a pitch the staff believes will help keep hitters off his four-seamer. In a recent bullpen session, Sasaki’s velocity touched 96 mph, a promising sign of his returning strength.
Manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about what a healthy Sasaki could bring to the club. “I’m expecting to see pounding of the strike zone, conviction behind the throws, and just a better performer,” Roberts stated. “At the end of the day, I just think that Roki has got to believe that his stuff plays here, which we all believe it does.”
While the Dodgers’ title defense doesn’t hinge on Sasaki’s return, he represents a valuable wild card. The team plans to stretch him out as a starter, but Roberts has not ruled out using him as a hard-throwing reliever in the postseason. “We’re gonna take the 13 best pitchers [into the playoffs],” Roberts explained. “If Roki is a part of that in some capacity, then that would be great.”
For his part, Sasaki is focused on earning his place back on the mound. “My every intention is to get back on the major league mound and pitch again,” he said through an interpreter. “With that being said, I do need to fight for the opportunity too. I don’t think that I’ll just be given the opportunity right away.” After months of uncertainty, Sasaki’s renewed health and refined approach have turned a potential lost season into one of unexpected opportunity, adding another intriguing storyline to the Dodgers’ October push.
