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The Los Angeles Dodgers are 27-14 this season. However, they have been hit with some key injuries, and Rōki Sasaki could be headed for the injured list as well.
According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Sasaki reported arm soreness following his last start. He gave up five earned runs in four innings of work against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 9.
"Rōki Sasaki reported some arm soreness after his last start," Ardaya wrote on X. "Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are sorting out whether that will require an IL stint."
Sasaki's velocity has been noticeably down after the season opener. He touched triple digits in the Dodgers' opener against the Chicago Cubs, but has been sitting in the low 90s since then. The change has the Dodgers puzzled as they try to figure things out. A stint on the injured list could hurt his development, as he is still trying to adjust to Major League Baseball.
"He’s certainly talented," manager Dave Roberts said per the Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris. "But there’s finishing school. That’s something that we were prepared for. I know it’s harder for him to embrace not having complete success, but this is a tough league."
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Sasaki has a 4.72 ERA and has issued 22 walks in eight games. The Dodgers signed him as an international prospect after a long recruiting process. He has struggled early, but so did Yoshinobu Yamamoto last season. Now, Yamamoto is looking like a Cy Young Award contender. Yamamoto also had a stint on the injured list last season and came back a much stronger, better pitcher. Perhaps the same thing could happen with Sasaki if they decide he needs to go on the injured list.
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