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Roki Sasaki landed on the 15-day injured list after a blister on his right middle finger forced him from his start last Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves. The Dodgers say the blister won’t prevent him from pitching again this season, but they won’t rush his return. The team is now weighing whether to move Sasaki into a bullpen role when he’s ready to rejoin the roster, per dodgerblue.com.

Sasaki came to Los Angeles as one of baseball’s most hyped international prospects a year ago. His electric stuff—triple-digit fastball and devastating splitter—immediately made him a centerpiece of the rotation. A move to the bullpen would be a significant adjustment for a pitcher of his pedigree, though it’s not uncommon for elite arms to find short-burst success out of the pen down the stretch. For Sasaki specifically, this represents a tactical shift the team is considering rather than a demotion; the blister is a legitimate issue that needs time to heal, and there’s no reason to force a starter’s workload on an injury.

For the Dodgers, this is a pragmatic September call. The team is still chasing a playoff spot and needs every arm it can get. Sasaki in relief—especially with his stuff—could be a weapon in high-leverage situations. Whether he starts or comes out of the bullpen, the key is having him available and healthy when October arrives. The blister issue is minor enough that full recovery shouldn’t be in doubt, but timing matters with a month left to play.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: August 31, 2026 9:05 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers