Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is about to take a big step in his recovery from a right shoulder impingement.
The prized rookie from Japan will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Saturday.
Sasakiâs first start will come Thursday against the Colorado Rockiesâ Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes. Roberts said the Dodgers would like him to stretch out to three innings.
Sasaki, 23, hasnât pitched since May 9, when he allowed five hits and five runs over four innings in a 14-11 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was placed on the injured list four days later after complaining of arm soreness.
Roki Sasaki Made Progress in Simulated Game
On the heels of a successful bullpen session, Sasaki pitched three simulated innings Friday at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander threw 45 pitches, sitting 96-97 mph with his fastball, per the Athleticâs Fabian Ardaya.
Depending on how Sasaki recovered, the Dodgers planned to discuss sending him on a minor-league rehab assignment to ramp things up.
Roberts said via the Los Angeles Timesâ Jack Harris that the team was still âwaiting for him to get to a point where he feels really comfortable and confident in his delivery and where heâs at, so he can attack the hitters.â
Sasaki resumed throwing approximately two weeks after landing on the IL but didnât advance beyond soft tossing before he was shut down again.
Earlier this week, Sasaki expressed relief that heâs pain-free, noting through an interpreter that heâs using this time to clean up his mechanics.
Dodgers Rotation Has Dealt With Many Injuries
Sasaki has failed to match the immense expectations that followed him from Japan, posting a 4.72 ERA in his first eight starts as a big leaguer. In 34.1 innings, Sasaki struck out 24 batters but walked 22.
His injury was among several that left the Dodgersâ rotation in shambles. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw and Tony Gonsolin have all spent time on the IL, and the Dodgers rank just 18th in ERA (4.10) and 25th in quality starts (33).
Sasaki will likely still be used as a starter upon his return, though nothing has been set in stone.
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