The Los Angeles Dodgers just cannot catch a break with their pitching, as righty Roki Sasaki is headed to the 15-day injured list after a nasty blister on his pitching hand “ripped off” during his start Wednesday night. This brutal turn of events came right after the team was walked off by Ha-Seong Kim and the Atlanta Braves, adding insult to injury in a 6-5 loss. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed the IL stint after the game, leaving fans to wonder what is next for an already thin rotation.
The Blister That Blew Up the Rotation
Sasaki’s outing on Wednesday was cut short, forcing him out in the fourth inning. He revealed the agonizing truth through an interpreter after the game, saying, “When I was facing the first hitter in the fourth inning, I actually didn’t feel anything coming beforehand. My skin just ripped off, and then after that, it got worse.” Yikes! He thought he could manage it at first, with the skin still there, but it deteriorated fast and even affected his slider. That’s a brutal way for a pitcher to go down. While his season ERA sits at an unsightly 4.60, Sasaki had actually been lights out since the All-Star break, pitching to a much better 3.05 ERA across seven starts before this tough night where he gave up four runs in 3 ⅓ innings. His underlying numbers were also looking up, with a 3.34 FIP and 3.79 expected ERA in the second half. This injury hits hard, especially when a guy is just starting to find his groove.
Ohtani’s Bullpen: The Pitch That Could Change Everything
“One pitcher returns, another gets hurt.” That’s the story of the Dodgers’ season, pure and simple. Tyler Glasnow just made his comeback on Tuesday from a nearly four-month absence due to a back injury. But the real game-changer could be Shohei Ohtani, who is eyeing a return to the rotation as soon as this weekend. He hasn’t toed the rubber since July 3rd, sidelined by nagging knee and biceps issues. Now, with Sasaki out, the pressure is on. Eric Lauer, who has a 3.78 ERA in 69 innings, will step into Sasaki’s spot in the rotation. But the Dodgers’ depth chart is still a mess, with Justin Wrobleski battling forearm inflammation and Gavin Stone on a minor-league rehab assignment after shoulder surgery. This entire situation is making Ohtani’s next move the absolute center of attention.
Manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words about the stakes for Ohtani’s next steps, stating prior to Wednesday’s game, “I know people are waiting to see on Shohei. He’s going to throw a bullpen on Friday in Detroit.” He added, “Right now, I don’t think anyone knows how any day looks until he throws that bullpen Friday.” That Friday bullpen isn’t just a practice session, it’s a make-or-break moment that could finally bring the Dodgers’ rotation to full strength, especially with Blake Snell looking good with three strong starts since his own elbow surgery. Sasaki might even move to the bullpen if he returns this season. So, get ready, because Ohtani’s bullpen on Friday in Detroit is going to be the most important pitch thrown this week, deciding if the Dodgers can finally get their pitching staff back on track.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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