The Dodgers’ season has been anything but smooth. Instead of hitting the panic button at the trade deadline, they made no blockbuster trades, no major roster shakeups, just confidence that their injured players would heal up in time to help make a postseason push. It’s a bold move, especially in a league where other teams were stacking talent for October. Now, the Dodgers have to hope that the gamble pays off.
Roki Sasaki’s Long-Awaited Return
One of the most anticipated returns is Roki Sasaki. Fans have been waiting to see him pitch again, and now there’s finally some movement. He recently threw in a simulated game, he threw 45 pitches over three innings, and now he’s heading to Triple-A Oklahoma City for his rehab assignment. The plan is to ease him back into real games, starting with just a few innings at a time. The Dodgers haven’t promised him a spot in the postseason rotation, but if he can get back into form, he could be a huge factor heading into the playoffs.
Sasaki isn’t the only pitcher trying to fight his way back. Kirby Yates and Michael Kopech are also rehabbing, though Yates seems to be moving at a quicker pace. Both pitchers have already been on the injured list twice this season, which isn’t great. Yates’ lower back issue has him on the 15-day IL, while Kopech’s knee problems landed him on the 60-day. Yates could start pitching in rehab games soon, but Kopech probably won’t be back until late August.
Key Utility Players on the Shelf
The injuries don’t stop with the pitching staff; the Dodgers’ lineup has taken some serious hits. Three of their most versatile players, Kiké Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Hyeseong Kim, are all out. These guys are the kind of players managers love because they can fill in at multiple spots, and losing all of them at once is brutal.
Hernández has been dealing with elbow inflammation for a while now, but there’s some good news: he’s reportedly pain-free and back to doing baseball drills. If all goes well, he could be back once rosters expand in September. Kim’s situation is a little different after going on the injured list; he had to completely stop baseball activities and even needed an injection for his shoulder. There’s hope he’ll get back to swinging soon, but there’s no clear timeline for his return.
All of this means the Dodgers’ decision to skip big trade moves is going to be judged on whether these players can come back in time to make a difference. If Sasaki can throw like everyone knows he can, if Yates can lock down the bullpen, and if guys like Hernández can spark the offense, the Dodgers might look like geniuses for keeping the roster and farm system intact. But if injuries linger and players can’t perform to their best abilities, that gamble could be what keeps them from making a serious playoff run.
For now, the Dodgers are in a wait-and-see situation. The talent is there. The question is whether it’ll be healthy in time to make this season another one to remember.
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