The journey of **Roki Sasaki** in his rookie season is not unfolding as anticipated, leading the **Los Angeles Dodgers** to take a decisive step back. The organization has placed the talented Japanese pitcher on the **15-day injured list** due to a right shoulder impingement, an announcement made earlier this week. To offset this move, reliever **J.P. Feyereisen** has been called up from the minor leagues.
Unless the injured list placement is retroactive, Sasaki is eligible to return to action by May 28. Unfortunately, the decision comes at a time when his performance metrics raise eyebrows; he currently holds a **4.72 ERA**, a **6.17 FIP**, and a **1.485 WHIP**. These statistics illustrate a less-than-stellar start to his MLB career, especially when compared to his dominating performances in the **2023 World Baseball Classic** and the previous season in Japan, where he consistently hit speeds of **100 mph** and maintained velocities in the high 90s.
In his most recent outing against the **Arizona Diamondbacks**, Sasaki’s fastball was clocked at just **94.8 mph**, a significant drop from expectations. During that game, he allowed five earned runs and five hits without registering a single strikeout over four innings. Dodgers manager **Dave Roberts** confirmed that Sasaki experienced arm soreness following that performance.
Can the Dodgers Fix Roki Sasaki?
Sasaki stirred excitement across baseball when he was posted by his **Chiba Lotte Marines** team in Japan’s **NPB**. Many believed he was potentially walking away from a nine-figure contract by choosing to move now rather than waiting for two more years, which would have allowed for a more lucrative international deal through bonus pools. Ultimately, he signed with the Dodgers for **$6.5 million**, merging ambition with the opportunity to play alongside two **Team Japan** teammates.
At first glance, it seemed like the perfect fit for both Sasaki and the Dodgers. Yet, after **eight replacement-level starts**, the team finds itself needing to regroup, with Sasaki on the injured list. Entering MLB, he brought a **three-pitch arsenal**: a high-velocity four-seam fastball, an elite splitter, and a developing slider. While his splitter has lived up to the hype, opponents have capitalized on his fastball, posting a slugging rate of **.494** against it.
Roki Sasaki is still a work in progress for the Dodgers. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
(Christian Petersen via Getty Images)
The transition from one of the fastest pitchers in the world to a mid-90s fastball can be jarring. Manager Roberts stated on Tuesday that the Dodgers are still exploring the intricacies of Sasaki’s fastball:
“I think that there’s a command component. I think there’s a ‘go out there and try to compete every fifth or sixth day to get major-league hitters out.’ We’re still trying to have conversations to see where he’s at, because at the end of the day, we want to ensure that he is performing up to his capabilities and our expectations. There are many things that we’re trying to suss out right now with Roki.”
Sasaki entered the league with intense scrutiny and sky-high expectations, drawing comparisons to elite prospects like **Paul Skenes** and **Stephen Strasburg**. However, it is becoming evident he was not a finished product upon arrival, especially when contrasted with his teammate **Yoshinobu Yamamoto**, who had a more established track record in NPB prior to his MLB transition.
Yet labeling Sasaki a bust at this stage would be premature. At just **23 years old**, he is still acclimating to the dynamic nature of the MLB game and the developmental frameworks offered by the Dodgers. This stint on the injured list could serve as a valuable reset, alleviating some pressure while he recovers. Despite the unideal circumstances, there remains hope for the Japanese phenom’s bright future.