Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Dodgers' Roki Sasaki suffers concerning injury setback

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports | By Grey Papke | Last updated Jun 15, 2025 5:29 PM ET

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki’s difficult rookie season keeps getting worse.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Sunday that Sasaki has halted his throwing program amid continued discomfort. Roberts added that there is no guarantee that Sasaki will even return this season.

Roki Sasaki has stopped throwing the last few days. Dave Roberts said Sasaki still doesn’t feel comfortable with his shoulder throwing with intensity. Won’t go for new testing, but sure sounds like it’s an if, not when he is back this year from Roberts’ comments.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) June 15, 2025

“We have to plan on life without him at least this year, that’s fair to say.”

– Dave Roberts on if the Dodgers have to prepare for Roki Sasaki not being a part of their long-term plan this season.
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 15, 2025

Sasaki has not pitched since May 9 due to a shoulder impingement. Even before he was shut down, he struggled to adjust to MLB, having posted a 4.72 ERA with 22 walks and 24 strikeouts in 34.1 innings of work. At times, the 23-year-old looked genuinely overwhelmed during his first few starts.

The Dodgers added Sasaki in the offseason, seemingly fortifying an already strong rotation. Expectations were high, and his body of work during spring training did nothing to diminish them. His control problems during the regular season came as a surprise and concern, and news of a shoulder injury will only create more worries.

The Dodgers just got Clayton Kershaw back, but any long-term injury to Sasaki will still leave the team a bit short in the rotation. Fortunately, help is on the way, though it might still be a month or so.

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

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