The Dodgers announced they’ve placed Roki Sasaki on the 15-day injured list with a shoulder impingement. Reliever J.P. Feyereisen was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fill the vacated roster spot.
Manager Dave Roberts said earlier this evening that Sasaki reported some arm discomfort after his start on Friday. The Diamondbacks tagged him for five runs on as many hits and a pair of walks over four innings. Sasaki didn’t record a single strikeout and only induced four whiffs. He now carries a 4.72 earned run average through his first eight big league starts. He has fanned only 15.6% of opponents while issuing walks at an untenable 14.3% rate.
It’s clearly not the manner in which Sasaki envisioned beginning his major league tenure. Of the 133 pitchers who have logged at least 30 innings, only San Diego’s Randy Vásquez has a worse strikeout/walk rate difference. The 23-year-old Sasaki was dominant over his four seasons in NPB, posting a 2.10 ERA with a near-33% strikeout rate. He remains one of the sport’s most talented young pitchers even though his stateside debut hasn’t gone as planned so far.
Sasaki’s injury history was the only knock against his time in Japan. He never reached 130 innings in an NPB season. He was limited to 18 starts and 111 frames last season. Sasaki missed time with an oblique tear and reportedly battled shoulder fatigue in 2024. The Dodgers haven’t provided a timeline for his return.
Roberts said tonight that Clayton Kershaw will return to the rotation on Saturday. He’ll join Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin and Landon Knack in the starting five. Sasaki was scheduled to take the ball on Thursday, though the Dodgers could turn to May on four days rest after the team’s off day yesterday. Gonsolin would also be on four days rest for Friday’s start before Kershaw’s activation.
Sasaki needs some time off I don’t think he’s used to the MLB schedule
He was literally asking teams to fix his fastball it’s not the schedule
The fastball hurt his shoulder then?
This may surprise you, but throwing a 98 mph four seamer puts a lot of strain on the human body, including the shoulder.
This is very true. But you remember at the time many people thought it was not real. People thought he was just putting on his show before signing with the dodgers. So did he really need help with this fastball or not?
It’s not time off he needs, its some time in the minor leagues
Everyone says this but if the people that have the most knowledge about the situation feel differently… 🤷♀️
Sasaki is destined for the bullpen. He will be a force is relief. Scott, Yates, Kopech, Sasaki. Thats going to be a really good bullpen.
Sending him to the PCL might screw up his confidence even more. Perhaps he wasn’t ready for MLB. Maybe it’s a combination of his shoulder and between the ears. He’s awfully young to jump to conclusions.
What??? These chat board experts don’t know best?
That’s a bit of an entitled stance though. I would think getting hammered at the MLB level would be worse for your confidence than a reset in the minors. The Red Sox need to do the same thing with Tanner Houck. Whether it bruises his ego or not he’s a disaster on the mound and costing the Sox games. A short stint to work on some mechanical issues where there numbers don’t really matter may not be the worst thing
Red Sox Place Tanner Houck On Injured List With Flexor Pronator Strain.
It was a fine career.
I’m still truely impressed with how this team won it all last year with such attrition in their pitching staff.
And they somehow have the best record so far this year despite just as many injuries (plus missing two key starting position players). Even for them it’s gonna be hard to have long term success this season if this continues but if they hold their spot until guys return they’ll be fine.
3rd best record this season.
Time to re-check the standings….
Time to pull your head out.
underdog: “long term success this season.”
Huh? This season is this season. Long term is multiple seasons.
It helps to have 3 MVPs at the top of the lineup….
Dodgers turning into the 2011 Eagles?
Those eagles had too many old guys which is everything in the NFL and Michael Vick that year lost his arm and his legs at the same time (on top of roster holes despite the spending)
These dodgers have very few holes and lots of consistent star power
Well, aside from the holes caused by the injuries.
No Roki of the year.
Post of the Day!
This feels like a mental health IL stint…
More IL gerrymandering to essentially carry a 45 man roster.
Never any specifics, always sore armitosis.
“More IL gerrymandering..45 man roster”…Exactly. And people called me a “conspiracy nut” when I suggested it was actually the Dodgers who shot J.R and may have in fact kidnapped the Lindberg baby.
And please, don’t even get me started on the JFK conspiracy. I’m glad you noticed that it’s “only” the Dodgers that make numerous roster moves. Without you the Dodgers may have gotten away with this chicanery.
@ iBleeedBlue
He was diagnosed with a shoulder impingement. That’s very specific.
As soon as “shoulder “ comes into the discussion the alarm bells go off. UCLs, forearms, “dead” arms can be dealt with. Shoulders have too many moving parts.
The IL manipulation continues…
CantStop27: Which you can’t prove, so you just sound like a paranoid conspiracy theorist.
The rapid decline in Sasaki’s velocity has been quite real. It points to a serious underlying issue.
Right… The Dodgers are manipulating the IL so they can get 60% of their starting staff on the sidelines. It’s all part of their grand plan to keep the division competitive and save them from the shame of winning too easily. But you saw through it all and now the scheme is blown.
Jim, I literally laughed out loud at that one. Great job.
This guy is an absolute bust lmao. Go back to Japan buddy. You’re gonna keep getting exposed in the majors.
All you cynical medical experts spouting off with no real information whatsoever.
His shoulder is like totally impinged
He definitely has shoulderitis. Obviously.
Your man is 25 years old coming off season with shoulder issues including shoulder fatigue in a season that he threw 111 innings, and last I heard the team has a six man rotation to accommodate their fragile Japanese toys. Yet, amazingly you are unafraid, confident in the Dodgers ability to run a pitching staff. And his K/W numbers, nothing to see here! Such confidence. I am impressed.
he is 23.
Roki should have signed with SD. Dodgers have ruined his arm just like they ruin all their SP’s arms.
Yeah he could have roomed with Musgrove and Darvish.
He was recommended Tommy John years ago in Japan. This is not a Dodgers. Padres pushed Clevinger and Musgrove to blowing out their arms in playoff games. Dodgers are fine with shutting down guys in October even if it means less of a chance at a ring
“Roki should have..Dodgers have ruined his arm”…I’m glad you realized that only the Dodgers have been having pitching injuries. I’m glad you noticed this very suspicious pattern.
This would really be hard to pin down if other teams actually had pitching injuries too. But, seeing how it’s only the Dodgers having injury, we should be able to get to the bottom of this quickly.
Japanese fans somehow knew this was coming.
“Japanese fans knew”…Japanese people can see and foretell the future?
My goodness, no wonder my younger brother recently hired a Japanese stockbroker.
You’re on fire tonight, bud
Actually, there is some logic to this.
I think there were probably a lot of people wondering why Sasaki didn’t wait one more year to become an unrestricted FA.
Yamamoto signed for $325M. Sasaki signed for $6M. If he felt 100% certain of his shoulder, then it makes absolutely no sense to not pitch in Japan for one more year, and then start asking for YY’s $325M.
roki was hurt alot last year. alot of injury concerns when he was being recruited. thats why he posted now and didnt wait 2 yrs. he knew he was hurt and wanted to sign a deal asap
this is not a surprise
A shoulder impingement is generally not a long term injury. If that was his problem, he would have had it treated long before now. This injury likely just happened.
If he knows he will need UCL in the next year or two there is no point pitching in Japan for those two years. No real money lost. If he didn’t think his chances of UCL were high he would have waited for the payday.
“Sasaki’s injury history was the only knock against his time in Japan. He never reached 130 innings in an NPB season. He was limited to 18 starts and 111 frames last season. Sasaki missed time with an oblique tear and reportedly battled shoulder fatigue in 2024.” – this article
“He was limited to 91 innings last year by an oblique injury, and to date he’s cleared the century mark just once.” – CBS Sports Jun 19, 2024
“The decline in Sasaki’s fastball velocity in 2025 has been impossible to ignore. He touched 100 mph during the Dodgers’ season opener in Japan, but he has since dropped into the low 90s. That after hitting 102.5 mph and averaging 99.2 mph for the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2023.” – MLB.com
It didn’t “just happen.” Many expected it.
Every year including a shoulder injury last year. Still would have liked for the Padres to sign him.
There is almost no doubt in my mind that Sasaki knew he had shoulder issues.
And I would gladly have my RS trade for him almost regardless of any injuries.
I think we all would have loved to have him sign with our favorite team. When he gets healthy, he is going to be very good.
Dodgers cornering the market on Shoulder injuries
When I read he was trying to increase his velocity I figured an elbow or shoulder injury was right around the corner. These guys are killing their bodies while chasing spin and velocity.
Look at the pay these days. They won’t need elbows after baseball retirement.
What’s funny though, is that it’s a lack of spin for Sasaki that makes his best pitch work.
Are you trying to say that 102.5 mph is not what made his most effective pitch work?
Hopefully that’s the reason for his lack of control.
I’m expecting him to come back and look like the late great Hideo Nomo.
He’s alive and well at 56.
Thank goodness!
Mr. Nomo is always on time
Nomo is still alive and working for the team in San Diego
Sasaki is crying somewhere.
Sasaki got the injury while rubbing shoulders with Snell and Glasnow.
This just drives down the $ of his extension. For those of you worried about the Dodgers spending beyond their means…
I think the following guys will be total colassal busts: Sasaki, Snell, Glasnow. Snell and Glassnow always hurt. Maybe you see Snell next yr. Both are payroll bandts. Thats what happens when you get Borassed. Sasaki, I dont think he is that good. In the clutch also questionable.
Cutting edge analysis. Give us more!
I hope that when Roki returns we see that impressive 100+ mph FB. I’m tired of seeing his FB clock at 94. Opposing batters feast on those non competitive pitches.
Injured his shoulder? He’s done.
Rotator cuff surgery within a years time.
Roki is awesome. He has had to pitch against some pretty tough teams. All things considered he has done pretty well for such a young pitcher and I am sure he will be lights out soon enough. You got this Roki!
New (bigger) baseball, new language/comms, and new schedule to learn as well.
That’s why Roki should have signed with any team except the Dodgers. Their fans are already calling for him to be sent to the minors. He should have signed with the Padres, Jays, Yankees, Mets, Giants, hell any other team than the Dodgers.
I’m not sure you can put the Yankees or Mets on that list. Phillies fans would be ruthless too.
Bunch of slackers. Maybe the Philly fans, but Yankee and Met fans are the picture of decorum compared to Red Sox fans.
If my math is correct, that is 15 starting pitchers on the IL or unavailable to pitch including Ohtani for the Dodgers.
That didn’t take long.
Seems like the Dodgers have had a LOT of pitching injuries over the past few years. What are they doing (or not doing) to cause this? Is their pitching program flawed or is their medical staff deficient?
They should probably take advice from some of these other teams. These are only from the past 24 hours…
Cardinals’ Sem Robberse Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
By Darragh McDonald | May 14, 2025 at 12:03pm CDT
Brewers Place Jose Quintana On IL With Shoulder Impingement
By Darragh McDonald | May 14, 2025 at 11:58am CDT
Mariners Place Bryce Miller On IL With Elbow Inflammation
By Darragh McDonald | May 14, 2025 at 11:53am CDT
Guardians Place Ben Lively On Injured List With Flexor Strain
By Anthony Franco | May 13, 2025 at 10:04pm CDT
Jake Bloss To Undergo UCL Surgery
By Steve Adams | May 13, 2025 at 3:35pm CDT
Jason Foley Undergoes Season-Ending Shoulder Surgery
By Steve Adams | May 13, 2025 at 3:16pm CDT
There’s an epidemic of pitching injuries with the increase in velocity and spin. But I don’t think it’s unfair to say the Dodgers have a type. Hey, worked for them last year!
The baseball gods are angry at the Dodgers….
The curse of pitching for the Dodgers continues.
Should’ve signed with the Mets. Hefner would’ve had you right. Look at canning and the rest of our staff.
Another Dodgers pitcher down. Hardly shocking.
Color me shocked, Dodger always seem to break their Japanese imports
If only they could defer his injury.
He definitely needs a stint in the minors when he returns.
We thought the Dodgers were arrogantly running up their payroll signing an excessive amount of starting pitchers over the offseason. While we knew there were greater than usual injury risks with some of them, this is getting ridiculous. It turns out that the Dodgers are needing every bit of that incredible depth they stockpiled!
TJ next!
This is his shoulder for 2nd season in a row. More likely to get rotator cuff surgery which is more devastating to a pitcher’s career.
My heart bleeds for the dodgers as I chuckle!
Right now David Sterns strikes me as a genius.