It has been a disappointing rookie season for Roki Sasaki as he managed to make just eight starts for the Los Angeles Dodgers before landing on the 15-day injured list.
Sasaki greatly struggled out the gate, yielding a 4.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. He was initially placed on the 15-day IL on April 16 because of a right shoulder impingement. The Dodgers then transferred Sasaki to the 60-day injured list June 20.
When on the mound, control has been Sasaki’s biggest issue this season. Though it did start to improve. He threw 49% of pitches for strikes in March, 60% in April and 62% in May.
Sasaki’s four-seam fastball’s lack of effectiveness was also a major problem. Batters hit his fastball hard, with a .253 batting average and .494 slugging percentage against it while only whiffing 10.1% of the time.
In 2024, hitters had a .241 batting average, .411 slugging percentage and whiffed 23.8% of the time against fastballs thrown in the velocity range of 95-96 mph.
Sasaki has utilized his time rehabbing his injury to develop a two-seam fastball as a way to combat the success hitters have had against his four-seam. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the inspiration behind adding a new pitch to Sasaki’s arsenal was multifaceted.
“I think it’s probably a combination of the pitching coaches, probably watching Shohei, probably watching Major League hitters,” Roberts said. “To have two separate fastballs, one that potentially could miss a bit and one that could put a ball on the ground, those are two good weapons.
“I appreciate that Roki is open to the two-seamer as well.”
Roberts does not yet have an idea of how effective Sasaki has been at commanding his new pitch, but has faith in the right-hander’s talent and the team’s coaching staff to ensure it is viable.
The hope is the two-seamer will help Sasaki miss barrels and induce more ground balls by mixing it in with his four-seamer.
“I think he’s got such a good throw, and Connor McGuiness and Mark Prior are so good with the throw and grips, it’s not going to change the throw. So my guess is the command will be just fine,” Roberts said.
“Again, to get the ball off the barrel, put the ball on the ground, get an early out, that’s what that pitch is kind of designed for.”
Sasaki also mentioned that there has been a learning curve when it comes to pitching against Major league hitters. He has used this time away from the mound to reflect on how to better attack their weaknesses.
“American hitters have a different approach at the plate compared to Japanese hitters, so I can’t really attack the same way that I used to in Japan,” Sasaki said through interpreter Will Ireton.
“At the same time, they have different strengths and weaknesses, so need to have more variety in the way I attack the hitters.”
Roki Sasaki nearing a possible rehab assignment
Back in mid-July, the Dodgers estimated that Sasaki could return to the team by the end of August. With the recent updates on Sasaki’s progress, he seems to be on track with his recovery.
He pitched two innings against batters at Camelback Ranch this past Saturday, with his fastball velocity getting up to the mid-90s. If everything goes well during his three innings of a simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, there is a good chance Sasaki begins a rehab assignment as the next step.
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