Dodgers Pitcher Roki Sasaki Struggles In Fourth Triple-A Rehab Outing

Roki Sasaki, a highly anticipated rookie pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has struggled significantly during his 2025 season due to ongoing right shoulder impingement issues and control problems. Since his injury sidelined him in mid-May, Sasaki has posted a 7.07 ERA with eight runs allowed and six walks over nine innings in his Triple-A rehab stint with the Oklahoma City Comets, including a recent outing where he gave up four runs and two home runs in the first inning before settling down. Despite his promising background as a two-time All-Star in Japan's NPB, Sasaki's lack of command—evidenced by 22 walks in just over 34 MLB innings—has raised concerns among Dodgers management. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need for Sasaki to find consistency and improve performance but indicated the current high standards and strong pitching staff make it unlikely Sasaki will be included on the postseason roster. The Dodgers, aiming for a third championship in six years, cannot afford to rely on a pitcher who has struggled to control the strike zone, and Sasaki's development remains a work in progress amid pressure to contribute immediately. Overall, the combination of injury setbacks and control issues have turned Sasaki's arrival from a hopeful key player into a challenging situation for both him and the team.