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Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Sends Message After Injury List Placement

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Toran Flores | Last updated May 14, 2025 10:14 PM ET

It's been an interesting few weeks in the Los Angeles Dodgers' organization.

Although they have played into the top spot in the NL West and hold one of the best records in baseball, the team has been forced to adjust amid a growing list of injuries over the past month.

It hasn't been easy, and the Dodgers have come out with more negative news in the starting pitching rotation.

Rookie starting pitcher Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list on Wednesday after experiencing discomfort in his throwing shoulder.

The Dodgers have placed Roki Sasaki on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement pic.twitter.com/2ddnbDgZXx
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) May 14, 2025

The rookie right-handed pitcher joins a long list of Dodgers that have also been placed on the injured list in recent weeks – this includes big names like starting pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, outfielder Teoscar Hernandez and multi-tool guy Tommy Edman.

Sasaki spoke with the press on Wednesday after the news broke out and explained what the process was like when deciding to be placed on the injured list.

"He has been dealing with discomfort in his shoulder the last couple of starts, but didn’t directly tie it to the drop in velocity. He said the discomfort isn’t as bad as what he dealt with a year ago, and is hoping to spend this time working on mechanical tweaks," Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic shared on X.

Roki Sasaki said he has been dealing with discomfort in his shoulder the last couple of starts, but didn’t directly tie it to the drop in velocity. He said the discomfort isn’t as bad as what he dealt with a year ago, and is hoping to spend this time working on mechanical tweaks.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 15, 2025

Through the eight starts that he's had in his rookie season, Sasaki has posted a 4.72 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP while striking out 24 batters in 34.1 innings pitched.

On a brighter note, the Dodgers announced that longtime ace Clayton Kershaw is set to make his 2025 debut on May 17

He's missed the end of the 2024 season and the beginning of this season with a torn meniscus and a ruptured plantar plate in his toe.

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

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