Roki Sasaki’s latest injury setback has forced the Los Angeles Dodgers to make another immediate adjustment to their starting rotation.
The right-hander exited Wednesday’s 6-5 walk-off loss to the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning after the skin on his throwing-hand middle finger tore while facing Ozzie Albies. Sasaki finished with 3.1 innings, allowing six hits and four earned runs while striking out three and walking two on 66 pitches.
Following the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Sasaki will be placed on the 15-day Injured List. The timing is particularly difficult for Los Angeles, which had started to regain some stability in a rotation that has dealt with injuries throughout the season.
Sasaki’s blister issue adds another complication after he had already spent three months on the IL earlier this season with right shoulder soreness. He also has a history of blister problems dating back to his time in Nippon Professional Baseball.
The Dodgers will turn to Eric Lauer to fill the opening in the rotation. Lauer has gone 7-1 with a 3.78 ERA across 12 appearances and 69 innings this season while working in both starting and bulk-relief roles.
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Los Angeles remains atop the National League West at 80-53, but the latest setback comes as the club continues trying to build toward October. With Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow healthy and Shohei Ohtani preparing to pitch off a mound, Sasaki’s absence interrupts that progress.
The Dodgers will now rely on Lauer to provide stability while Sasaki works his way back from another frustrating injury.
ALSO SEE: NRFI and YRFI MLB Bets Today: Best First-Inning Predictions for Thursday, Aug. 27
