Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed uncertainty Wednesday regarding the precise role Roki Sasaki will play upon his return from the injured list, a situation complicated by a new injury to teammate Blake Snell.
Sasaki, who recovered from a blister, completed a four-inning live batting practice session, signaling his readiness to rejoin the team. Historically, Sasaki was anticipated to return to the bullpen, reprising a late-inning leverage role he held as a rookie. Despite a strong performance as a starter in the second half of the season, with a 2.31 ERA in his first six starts after the All-Star break, he was seen as surplus to the Dodgers' established starting rotation.
Roberts acknowledged two potential paths for Sasaki: shifting him to the bullpen for short-burst relief appearances or allowing him to make a couple more starts to maintain his arm's readiness. "One can argue it’s best to [let him] take down a couple starts and keep him built up," Roberts said. "Because if something does happen, then he is built up."
That potential "something" materialized when Blake Snell exited his start after one inning on Wednesday due to left groin tightness. While Snell is optimistic about avoiding a serious injury, past groin issues have sidelined him for up to a month. Should Snell be forced to miss significant time, Sasaki would become the primary candidate to fill a spot in the Dodgers' postseason rotation.
Adding to the rotation's uncertainty is the status of Tyler Glasnow, who limited his travel after a four-inning outing last weekend. This confluence of factors positions Sasaki as a crucial insurance policy for the Dodgers' playoff aspirations.
By the end of Wednesday's game, Roberts confirmed that Sasaki is likely to make a start sometime next week, potentially against the San Diego Padres, as he comes off the injured list. This plan, however, remains subject to change given the ongoing injury concerns and the team's need for flexibility in its pitching assignments. For the time being, all options for Sasaki's role remain on the table.