Dodgers Will Make a Decision on Roki Sasaki This Week

Jun 19, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) walks on the field prior to the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

The beleaguered Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen could soon be getting a secret weapon of sorts.

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Rookie Roki Sasaki has been quietly revving up in the minor leagues playing for the team's Triple-A affiliate. Most interesting has been the fact that the starter is being utilized currently as a relief pitcher. Could this foreshadow a possible role in the postseason?

Roki Sasaki toes the rubber out of the 'pen ☄️

The @Dodgers rookie tosses a scoreless inning of relief with two strikeouts while on rehab with the @OKC_comets. pic.twitter.com/jhbJL84Iuv

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 19, 2025

Manager Dave Roberts admitted that Sasaki could be a postseason relief option with continued work in Triple-A. There's a real possibility that Sasaki will be promoted to the Dodgers with one week to get his feet wet as a reliever versus major league hitters.

After that, anything appears to be fair game pertaining to his involvement moving forward.

There's something very promising with this entire scenario. It could've been easy for Sasaki to shut it down and work out the necessary mechanical issues that plagued him during his short stint earlier this year with the big club. Now seemingly fully healthy, reports indicate that Sasaki is back to pumping in 100 mph fastballs with real movement.

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With the depth of the current rotation, Sasaki won't be asked to start any postseason games barring something totally unforeseen. However, having this sort of firepower coming out of the bullpen to combat right-handed hitters is something understandably attractive.

Dave Roberts said Roki Sasaki will have another relief outing on Sunday, and then the organization will make a decision from there.

Said a week’s worth of games in big league relief could be enough to make Sasaki a postseason relief option. https://t.co/iYOYs0JSc4

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) September 19, 2025

Sasaki has the pedigree of a guy who won't be rattled in pressure-packed situations. The stuff when healthy is evident, and with the need for swing-and-miss stuff in the postseason, Sasaki may be just what the doctor ordered.

The collection of right-handed relievers at Roberts' disposal is a bit shaky. Kirby Yates has not looked like the same guy from last year. Michael Kopech just went on the IL with various physical issues. Ben Casparius was recently optioned to Triple-A. Kyle Hurt is far from a known commodity despite getting late hype as a possible addition. Blake Treinen also has looked very shaky in recent weeks.

Aside from youngsters Emmet Sheehan and Edgardo Henriquez, the stable of right-handed relievers has some real questions. Sasaki immediately would inject some quality and perhaps some energy in the process.

Roki Sasaki threw a scoreless inning for AAA OKC!
1IP | 0H | 0R | 2Ks | 1BB

The first pitch he threw was 99, and the split he threw to record his 1st K was a pretty nice "ball to strike" pitch.

He hit 100 with some "ride and run" to the 2nd hitter on the 1st pitch, then threw 2… pic.twitter.com/TPnOg5aJB3

— Dodgers Daily (@dodger_daily) September 19, 2025

There's even a unique comparison to former Los Angeles Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez where the then-rookie had a stellar postseason en route to leading the Angels to a World Series title in 2002.

At the very least, even if Sasaki doesn't feature in the postseason, this is an example of the creativity and inventiveness of the front office looking to leave no stone unturned when aiming to put out the most talented roster possible.

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