Roki Sasaki, a right‑handed starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was placed on the 15‑day injured list after a blister forced him out of his recent start against the Atlanta Braves. The move came despite his not being awarded a decision, marking a sudden end to a outing that had shown promise earlier in the season.
At Truist Park, Sasaki surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks over three and one‑third innings. The early blow came when Matt Olson launched a solo home run off a low inside slider, giving the Braves a quick 1‑0 lead.
The Dodgers answered with a three‑run burst in the third inning, but the advantage evaporated in the fourth when Sasaki’s blister flared. A walk followed by a rally allowed the Braves to edge ahead, turning a 3‑1 deficit into a tighter contest.
The Dodgers' offense regrouped with a double from Sean Murphy that moved runners to second and third, setting the stage for Drake Baldwin’s clutch hit that scored two runs off reliever Edgardo Henriquez, narrowing the gap and sparking hope among the visitors.
Sasaki later described the injury as sudden, noting that the blister’s direction made it painful to throw sliders, which ultimately limited his effectiveness on the mound and contributed to the walk that shifted momentum.
Manager’s reaction
Manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment, emphasizing that the setback arrived after a stretch of strong performances and that the team must now adjust without one of its key arms.
Sasaki finishes the season with a 5‑5 record and a 4.60 ERA in 23 starts, a statistic that reflects both his potential and the volatility of his recent outings.
Amid the pitching turmoil, Shohei Ohtani provided a bright spot with a 2‑for‑5 performance that included a double in the seventh inning and a stolen base, tying the game at five‑all and underscoring his continued impact.
The episode highlights the fragility of a rotation that has been a cornerstone of the Dodgers' recent success, and it raises questions about how the club will navigate the remainder of the season without Sasaki's services.