The Los Angeles Dodgers might have their potential postseason closer in 23-year-old Roki Sasaki.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts announced to the media before the Dodgers' weekend series against the San Francisco Giants that Sasaki will make at least one more start with the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate, OKC Comets, after a minor calf issue extended his rehab past the 30-day threshold.
Roberts then said that he is hopeful that the flamethrower can toe the rubber in a Dodgers uniform before the season concludes, and continues by saying that Sasaki can hopefully pitch out of the bullpen if needed.
It has been nothing short of a bumpy first season in the States for Sasaki, who posted a 4.72 ERA in 34.1 innings pitched in 2025, a performance that was put on pause in May when Los Angeles placed the right-hander on the injured list due to right shoulder impingement.
Since landing on the IL, Sasaki has made a handful of rehab starts for OKC that have been spotty to say the least, but his recent rehab start was a true showcase of his old self.
Sasaki seemed to have nailed down the newly transformed mechanics he had been experimenting with throughout his rehabilitation by topping out at 100 mph on his heater, a number he hasn't touched all year.
With the new look to Roki Sasaki's pitching mechanics and overall confidence, Los Angeles gains a bit of wiggle room in terms of their bullpen and how they could operate come October. Roberts has entertained the idea that they could transition Sasaki to the bullpen as a long reliever during the middle of his rehab, but were still hopeful on the idea that he could pick up the pace while recovering and come back in as a starter.
Still, with Sasaki now scheduled to make his final rehab start soon, the Dodgers will have to make some tough yet gritty decisions on the future of their bullpen usage for the playoffs if they find themselves in that position.