Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dodgers Could Make Roki Sasaki IL Decision, Per Dave Roberts

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sam Bernardi | Last updated May 13, 2025 9:07 PM ET

Entering 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers seemed untouchable. They won their first full-season World Series since 1988 last fall and returned an all-star caliber core. Los Angeles was also +240 to repeat via spring training betting odds, a figure unseen since the turn-of-the-century New York Yankees.

However, that comfort has suddenly evaporated.

Key additions such as Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki were meant to fortify an already stout pitching staff, but the Dodgers have faced an issue few teams can recover from: the injury bug.

Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic provided the latest update in what has been a tumultuous stretch for Los Angeles:

Roki Sasaki reported some arm soreness after his last start. Dave Roberts said the Dodgers are sorting out whether that will require an IL stint.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 13, 2025

While Sasaki’s status is up in the air, any time you hear “arm soreness” and “pitcher” in the same sentence, it is hard not to wince.

The Dodgers’ inability to stay on the field is almost unbelievable. Their current injured list includes Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Evan Phillips on the 15-day, with Michael Kopech, Emmet Sheehan, Blake Treinen, and Brusdar Graterol among the 60-day members.

Clayton Kershaw is progressing through his rehab starts, but he has also not yet suited up for Los Angeles this season.

Should Sasaki head to the IL, manager Dave Roberts will once again need to get creative with his starts, as he has already been forced to utilize openers for certain games.

Sasaki has not been perfect in his first eight starts of Major League ball, going 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and a 6.17 FIP over 34 and 1/3 innings. He has also struggled with command, recording 22 walks to 24 strikeouts.

Regardless, he is a crucial member of this rotation and should only improve with more starts.

Hopefully the Dodgers can sort out Sasaki soon and provide a positive update. But this all-too-familiar feeling could be another strain on Los Angeles’ summer.

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

More must-reads: