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Dave Roberts Reveals Injury Update on Dodger's Rookie Pitcher

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Douglas Santo | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 12:12 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Roki Sasaki this offseason to a one-year contract after the young pitcher spent time in the Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan.

Sasaki started eight games for the Dodgers, holding a 4.72 ERA across 34.1 innings pitched in 2025 before hitting a setback with injury. The Dodgers' rookie hasn't pitched since May 9 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Sasaki landed on the injured list with a shoulder inpingement and has been working his way back from the injury ever since. On Sunday, Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts gave an update on the young pitchers' recovery.

According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Roberts said Sasaki is throwing bullpen sessions and could return in late August. Sasaki threw a bullpen session on Friday and is expected to throw another session on Monday.

Dave Roberts said Roki Sasaki has started throwing bullpen sessions and is feeling pain-free. Brought up a late August timetable for him.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 13, 2025

Roki Sasaki is back to throwing bullpen sessions, manager Dave Roberts said. His first one was two days ago, and he'll throw another tomorrow. Roberts thinks Sasaki could be back around late August.
— Sonja Chen (@SonjaMChen) July 13, 2025

The general timeline for pitchers once they begin their bullpen sessions to the time they return to the mound to start is about six weeks. However, with Sasaki's youth and the Dodgers' depth in pitching, Los Angeles could slow down the process to ensure Sasaki has no setbacks.

The Dodgers' current starting rotation includes Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Emmet Sheehan, with Shohei Ohtani ramping his way up and Justin Wrobleski spot-starting. The Dodgers will get Blake Snell back soon, which should solidify a five or six-man rotation.

The Dodgers will likely take Sasaki's recovery slowly to make sure he's fully healthy and ready to go. As they get healthy, Los Angeles will have plenty of depth, and Sasaki should focus on being prepared to produce in the postseason.

Regardless, the Dodgers got positive news on Sasaki's injury recovery Sunday afternoon.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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