Dodgers Weigh Roki Sasaki Postseason Role Amid Shoulder Rehab

Roki Sasaki, the Los Angeles Dodgers' young right-hander, has shown mixed results during his rehab assignment after a shoulder impingement sidelined him since May. Despite a strong outing with eight strikeouts and a fastball topping 100 mph in his latest Triple-A start, Sasaki has struggled overall with a 7.07 ERA across four rehab starts. Manager Dave Roberts emphasized that Sasaki must improve his velocity, command, and performance to have a chance at contributing to the Dodgers' postseason roster, noting the competitive nature of the playoff race and the depth of the pitching staff. While Sasaki is unlikely to rejoin the starting rotation immediately, there remains a possibility he could pitch out of the bullpen if he demonstrates readiness. Sasaki is scheduled to meet with Dodgers officials in Los Angeles to determine the next steps, as his 30-day rehab assignment nears its end and decisions on roster spots become more difficult. The organization remains cautiously optimistic but clear that Sasaki must prove himself to earn a role on the team this season.