Roki Sasaki’s debut season hasn’t gone as planned, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to put him on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. Reliever J.P. Feyereisen has been called up to take his place.
Unless his placement is retroactive, Sasaki can return on May 28.
With disappointing stats like a 4.72 ERA and a drop in fastball velocity, Sasaki’s performance has fallen short of expectations. His recent struggles, including a rough outing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, have raised concerns about his transition to MLB.
Can the Dodgers help Roki Sasaki bounce back?
Sasaki made headlines when he joined the Dodgers on a $6.5 million deal after leaving Japan’s NPB. Despite high hopes for his success in the majors, his struggles have put his future with the team in question.
Known for his fastball and splitter, Sasaki’s pitches have been inconsistent, with hitters taking advantage of his diminished fastball speed. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged the team’s ongoing efforts to help Sasaki improve:
“We’re working on his command and helping him adjust to facing major-league hitters regularly. Our goal is to maximize his potential and meet our expectations for him.”
Although Sasaki’s early MLB career has been rocky, it’s important to remember that he is still a young player adapting to a new league and team. The IL stint may serve as a chance for him to regroup and work on his game before returning to action.