Los Angeles – The Dodgers’ rotation took another hit on Tuesday when right‑hander Roki Sasaki was placed on the 15‑day injured list. After surrendering four runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings against the Atlanta Braves, Sasaki was lifted from the game and later diagnosed with a blister on his right middle finger.
Injury details
Speaking through an interpreter after the Braves’ 6‑5 walk‑off win, the 24‑year‑old explained that the blister appeared suddenly in the fourth inning. “When I was facing the first hitter in the fourth inning, I actually didn’t feel anything coming beforehand,” Sasaki said. “My skin just ripped off, and then after that, it got worse… I thought I was able to manage at first because the skin was still there, but after that, it kept getting worse, and I think it affected my slider afterwards.”
Impact on the rotation
Sasaki entered the game with a promising recent stretch – he was 2‑0 with a 2.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 35 innings in his previous six starts. His absence leaves a spot open in a rotation that has already seen several recent returns. Left‑hander Blake Snell, back from a three‑month elbow injury, is 2‑0 with a 1.00 ERA and 21 strikeouts in 18 innings over three starts. Right‑hander Tyler Glasnow, returning from back issues, gave up three runs and struck out seven over five innings on Tuesday. Shohei Ohtani, who has not pitched since July 3 after a knee injury, could be back on the mound as early as this weekend.
Potential replacement
Manager Dave Roberts indicated that left‑hander Eric Lauer may step into the rotation. Since being acquired from Toronto in May, Lauer is 7‑1 with a 3.76 ERA in 12 games.
Season context
Through 23 starts this season, Sasaki is 5‑5 with a 4.60 ERA over 119 1/3 innings. In his two seasons with Los Angeles after coming from Japan, he is 6‑6 with a 4.57 ERA in 33 appearances (31 starts). He also contributed to the Dodgers’ World Series championship last season, appearing in nine games out of the bullpen, allowing just one earned run over 10 2/3 innings and recording three saves.
The Dodgers will look to rely on the depth of their staff as they continue their push toward the postseason.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
