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Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki is headed to the injured list after suffering a blister on his right middle finger during Wednesday’s 6-5 walk-off loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Sasaki exited after 3⅓ innings and 66 pitches at Truist Park after the blister worsened and began affecting his command, particularly on his slider. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the injury will sideline the 24-year-old for at least two weeks.
Sasaki Exits After Blister Worsens
Sasaki said the blister appeared suddenly while he was facing Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies 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 through an interpreter. “My skin just ripped off, and then after that, it got worse.”
Sasaki initially continued pitching because a layer of skin remained on his finger. However, the skin eventually tore completely, forcing the Dodgers to remove him from the game.
He finished the outing allowing four runs on six hits and two walks.
Injury Halts Encouraging Stretch
The injury comes as Sasaki had begun to find his form after a difficult start to the season.
He entered Wednesday’s game with a 2.31 ERA and 34 strikeouts over 35 innings in his previous six starts since the All-Star break. The right-hander had gone 2-0 during that stretch and appeared to be building momentum heading into the final weeks of the regular season.
Roberts acknowledged that the timing of the injury was particularly frustrating.
“He was on a good run,” Roberts said. “So now, unfortunately, it’s going to be a minimum two weeks.”
Sasaki can continue playing catch with his finger bandaged to maintain his arm activity while the blister heals.
Eric Lauer Could Replace Sasaki
The Dodgers are expected to turn to left-hander Eric Lauer to fill Sasaki’s spot in the rotation.
Lauer has gone 7-1 with a 3.76 ERA in 12 games since Los Angeles acquired him from the Toronto Blue Jays in May. He also provided valuable relief work after Sasaki’s early departure Wednesday, pitching two innings.
The Dodgers’ rotation has recently received several reinforcements. Blake Snell returned from an elbow injury earlier this month, while Tyler Glasnow made his first start since May on Tuesday. Shohei Ohtani could also return to the mound as early as this weekend.
Dodgers Face Crowded October Rotation
Sasaki’s absence could have implications beyond the regular season, particularly because Los Angeles has several established options for its postseason rotation.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tarik Skubal are among the pitchers likely to occupy rotation spots, while Snell and Glasnow are now healthy and Ohtani is nearing a potential return.
If Sasaki misses significant time, the Dodgers could instead use him out of the bullpen to prepare for the postseason. He played an important relief role during last year’s championship run, appearing in nine playoff games and allowing just one earned run over 10⅔ innings.
Sasaki is 5-5 with a 4.60 ERA through 23 starts this season. While the blister is an unwelcome setback, the Dodgers will hope a short stint on the injured list allows him to return healthy before their postseason push intensifies.
