Dodgers Pitching Coach Mark Prior Gives Frustrating Update on Roki Sasaki

As the Los Angeles Dodgers wait on pitching reinforcements, Roki Sasaki’s status remains in flux. The heralded rookie from Japan has been on the 15-day injured list since May 13, and there is still no telling when he may return.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior told reporters before Tuesday’s 11-1 loss to the San Diego Padres that Sasaki is still doing only light throwing as he works his way back from a right shoulder impingement.

“Not a whole lot to report on Roki,” Prior said in a YouTube video posted by The Dodgers Bleed Los Podcast Network. “He’s still playing some light catch and (is) trying to move forward. I think right now we’ve got to get him in a position where he feels confident in his ability to throw the baseball.

“Until we can get to where he feels comfortable and his throw feels good and he feels completely healthy, we’re not really messing around with his throw.”

Roki Sasaki Still Has Hurdles to Clear in Rehab

Despite feeling pain-free, Sasaki has yet to advance to the next stage in his rehab. Prior seemingly suggested Sasaki’s issues may be more than just physical, saying there’s always mental hurdles to clear when recovering from an injury.

“There’s always a mental component when you’re hurt,” Prior said, “and you’re always wondering, ‘Am I going to feel something at that moment?’ … There is a little bit of a mental barrier that they all need to get through.”

Sasaki struggled prior to his injury, posting a 4.72 ERA across eight starts. In 34.1 innings, he struck out 24 but walked 22.

Sasaki is one of several Dodgers pitchers on the mend, including Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Tony Gonsolin. Los Angeles has already used 14 different starting pitchers this season, most in Major League Baseball.

Super utility man Kike Hernandez wound up pitching 2.1 innings Tuesday after bulk reliever Matt Sauer was hammered for nine runs on 13 hits over 4.2 frames.

The Dodgers entered Wednesday at 40-28, putting them atop the National League West by a half-game.

Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow Making Progress

Prior offered more positive updates on Snell (left shoulder inflammation) and Glasnow (right shoulder inflammation), who have both been on the IL since April.

Snell, who has made just two starts after signing a five-year, $182 million deal this offseason, threw his first bullpen session in months Tuesday in San Diego. After tossing 15 pitches, the two-time NL Cy Young winner told reporters that he only recently became pain-free.

Back in Los Angeles, Glasnow threw his third bullpen session and is getting closer toward facing live hitters.

“The last seven to 10 days, with Glas and Snell, those guys have really turned the corner and started to accelerate their program and the intensity of their throws,” Prior said. “Unfortunately … (Sasaki) hasn’t really gotten to that point yet. … He hasn’t gotten to the point where he can put enough intensity to push forward in his progression.”

In other news, Emmett Sheehan, who made 13 appearances (11 starts) as a rookie in 2023, recently began a rehab assignment after missing last season following Tommy John surgery. Shohei Ohtani has also been stepping up his mound work in hopes of rejoining the rotation in July.

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