Sasaki Blister Injury
Dodgers Consider Postseason Bullpen Role for Roki Sasaki After Blister Injury
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Key Points
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Roki Sasaki exited after 3.1 innings and 66 pitches due to a blister on his right middle finger, with Edgardo Henriquez entering in relief.
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Since the All-Star break, Sasaki had been on a strong run, posting a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts across 35 innings over six starts.
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A mound visit from training staff along with manager Dave Roberts, including Mark Prior and interpreter Will Ireton, preceded Sasaki’s exit.
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Teoscar Hernández delivered a two-run double after Drake Baldwin overran a fly ball, turning into a 4-3 lead for Atlanta in that inning.
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Dodgers officials indicated that it was unclear whether the blister would delay Sasaki’s next start and that they would monitor his status closely going forward.
Roki Sasaki's postseason window narrowed Wednesday when a blister on his right middle finger forced him out after just 3.1 innings against Atlanta. USA Today reported that the Dodgers right-hander allowed four runs as Edgardo Henriquez took over. The injury threatens to derail Sasaki's planned role as a high-leverage relief pitcher in October, complicating the team's bullpen strategy heading into the playoffs.
Since the All-Star break, Sasaki had been one of baseball's hottest pitchers, posting a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 35 innings. LA Times said the Dodgers were monitoring his status closely, with no clear timeline for his return. The team faces uncertain next steps: whether the blister forces a stint on the injured list or merely delays his next appearance.
A Hot Streak Cut Short by Finger Trouble
Sasaki's run since late July had been exceptional. Over six starts and 35 innings, he compiled a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts—elite numbers for a relief candidate. MLB.com noted this was part of his broader 23-start, 119.1-inning season. The blister erupted during what should have been a routine appearance, disrupting momentum at the worst possible time.
Manager Roberts and Staff Monitor Recovery Closely
Manager Dave Roberts, pitching coach Mark Prior, and interpreter Will Ireton visited the mound after Sasaki signaled trouble with his throwing hand. The trio examined the blister before making the call to remove him. USA Today described the exchange as a careful assessment, though team officials offered no immediate diagnosis or recovery timeline.
Bullpen Role in Jeopardy for October Baseball
The Dodgers had positioned Sasaki as a key relief option for playoff games, not a rotation starter. FanSided emphasized that this blister raises major concerns for the team's October plans. Losing Sasaki forces the Dodgers to lean harder on other relievers. The team noted it has better backfill options than earlier in the season, but the uncertainty clouds their bullpen strategy.
Timeline Remains Unclear as Team Waits and Watches
Dodgers officials have not ruled out a 15-day injured list stint, though LA Times reported the team plans to monitor Sasaki over the next several days before deciding. His finger history makes recovery unpredictable. With Shohei Ohtani nearing his mound return and Tyler Glasnow healthy, the rotation is nearly full—but losing a premium reliever still stings as October approaches.
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