Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Placed on Injured List with Shoulder Impingement

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement after reporting soreness following his recent start. His fastball velocity, which reached over 100 mph during his debut in Tokyo, has notably declined to the low 90s, impacting his effectiveness on the mound. Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior acknowledged delivery issues contributing to the velocity drop and a higher walk rate, and the team is actively working with Sasaki to address these mechanical problems. Manager Dave Roberts noted that both injury and mechanical flaws are factors in Sasaki's struggles, and the Dodgers are still evaluating his condition and role in upcoming games. Sasaki had a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts through eight starts before the injury, and J.P. Feyereisen was recalled to fill his roster spot. Despite the challenges, Sasaki was initially scheduled to start Thursday's game against the Athletics, though that remains uncertain pending his recovery.