Dodgers' Dave Roberts makes feelings clear on Roki Sasaki's new bullpen role after electric debut

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers' Dave Roberts makes feelings clear on Roki Sasaki's new bullpen role after electric debut image

The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the postseason more disgruntled than in recent memory. The bullpen has been a major problem over the past couple of months. However, amid these struggles, they have been shifting Roki Sasaki’s role to the bullpen.

“The first part of it was him giving himself the opportunity to agree to go to the 'pen. And then the next part is, he's got to perform," manager Dave Roberts said. "Tonight, he performed. He was really good. And let's see it again on Sunday. And then it kind of puts the onus on the organization to make a decision. In the postseason, there's no roles. They're all leverage."

Sasaki was counted out as a starter, and the bullpen was his only path to the postseason roster. On Wednesday, he made his first appearance out of the bullpen for the Dodgers—and he didn’t disappoint.

“Sasaki, who was activated from the 60-day injured list before the game, looked impressive in a 1-2-3 inning. He struck out two, including Ildemaro Vargas swinging on a 99 mph fastball, and departed with the Dodgers leading 3-1,” ESPN wrote.

Coming off the field, Sasaki couldn’t hide his smile—and rightfully so. After returning from injury, his confidence had waned as he struggled in Triple-A. After the game, Dave Roberts acknowledged the difference Sasaki showed out of the bullpen.

“Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was elated to see the difference and confidence in rookie Roki Sasaki tonight: ‘He looked like a different person,’” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale posted.

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Sasaki could very well be the key difference in the Dodgers making a deep playoff run. They have struggled down the stretch, but sometimes it only takes one player with the right energy.

This postseason promises to be exciting to watch, especially as Sasaki looks poised for a resurgence after many had written him off this season.

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Hunter Cookston

Hunter Cookston began his career as a sportswriter for the Marion Tribune, where he covered local high school football, basketball and baseball. His passion for sports started at the age of four when he played his first year of tee ball. Growing up in Tennessee, he developed a deep love for the Tennessee Volunteers and Atlanta Braves. Hunter is currently attending Tennessee Wesleyan University, where he is pursuing a BA in Sports Communications/Management.