As the Los Angeles Dodgers approach the final weeks of the 2025 regular season, many questions are surfacing about a potential playoff roster. Among those in the headlines right now surround how they will handle Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese youngster who hasn’t pitched in the majors since May due to a shoulder impingement.
Recent developments suggest a decision is coming soon. Sasaki flew back to Los Angeles this week to meet with management after striking out eight batters in 4-2/3 innings during his best rehab start yet with Triple-A Oklahoma City. His fastball velocity was up considerably, with six pitches registering over 100 mph — a sign that he may have rediscovered the electric stuff that made him a coveted international free agent.
“It was great for the Dodgers, great for Roki’s confidence, great for the organization,” manager Dave Roberts said. “But mostly it was great for Roki. Just to really let it eat, let it fly, have some success and know he can be the guy he’s known to be.”
A Bullpen in Crisis
The argument for bringing Sasaki back as a reliever is compelling when considering the current state of the Los Angeles bullpen — a unit that has gone from a strength last year to a weakness this season. The bullpen has posted a combined 4.19 ERA and 1.340 WHIP for the season, ranking 19th in the majors and well below the standards expected by most playoff contenders.
The struggles are epitomized by Tanner Scott, the $72 million closer who has become a lightning rod for criticism. Scott leads the majors with blown saves and recently made a devastating admission: “It’s terrible. I’m having the worst year of my life. I gotta be better.”
Scott’s inability to shut down opponents in recent appearances, including Friday’s walk-off grand slam allowed to Patrick Bailey of the Giants, emphasizes just how unreliable the late innings have become.
Righty Kirby Yates, the other major bullpen addition, has similarly failed to meet expectations, while Blake Treinen has battled through injury and inconsistency. The group has accumulated 21 blown saves as a collective unit, with Scott alone converting just 63% of his save opportunities. When former MLB executive Jim Bowden wrote in The Athletic that the Dodgers’ bullpen “looks to be at the bottom” compared to other NL contenders, he wasn’t exaggerating.
“This is our pennant race right now. It started early, and we’ve got to win every game,” Roberts said, acknowledging the urgency of their situation with a minimal lead over the San Diego Padres in the NL West.
Long-Term vs. Short-Term Benefits
There are some reasonable arguments for keeping Sasaki in the minors. The young right-hander struggled with command early in the season, posting a 4.72 ERA and 1.49 WHIP in eight starts before the injury. His velocity had been concerning during early rehab starts, leading Roberts to sound pessimistic about his return prospects just weeks ago.
“Pitching in relief would be something that would be completely odd to him, so it would have to be a little bit of a leap of faith on his part,” Roberts acknowledged. The transition from starting to relieving represents not just a role change but a fundamental shift in approach, preparation and mentality for a pitcher who has never worked out of the bullpen professionally.
MLB Network’s Mark Feinsand believes the Dodgers have “fixed” Sasaki just in time for the postseason, noting his recent Triple-A performance where he generated 16 punchouts — more than any outing he’s had in the majors or minors this year. But questions remain about whether this represents sustainable improvement or simply a good day on the farm.
The Strategic Decision
With the team’s six-man rotation of Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Emmet Sheehan and Shohei Ohtani back to full health, there simply isn’t room for Sasaki as a starter. This reality forces the organization into a tough choice — use his electric stuff as a potential bullpen weapon or prioritize his development with regular starting assignments in Triple-A.
The postseason implications cannot be ignored. As Yonder Alonso noted on MLB Network, “you can’t deny 100 mph,” especially when that velocity comes with the movement and command Sasaki displayed in Japan.
Roberts has made it clear that all options remain on the table: “Whether it’s kind of getting ready for something to happen here in a starting role, or changing a role, I think it all should be on the table. We’re going to have that conversation.”
Looking Ahead
The decision ultimately hinges on what the Dodgers value more — immediate bullpen help that could stabilize their October chances or the patient development of a potential franchise superstar. Given their current bullpen crisis, the temptation to deploy Sasaki’s triple-digit fastball in high-leverage situations is understandable.
Yet the smarter long-term play might be keeping him stretched out as a starter in Triple-A, where he can continue building stamina and refining his command without the pressure of late-inning situations in a pennant race. The Dodgers’ championship window extends well beyond 2025, and rushing Sasaki into an unfamiliar role could potentially derail his development trajectory.
In a season where the bullpen has been one of the team’s weakest areas, the final decision could affect their success in the playoffs. For now, Sasaki is scheduled to make at least one more start for Oklahoma City next week.