The Los Angeles Dodgers ’ fans received a sobering update Sunday night when manager Dave Roberts addressed the status of Roki Sasaki. Highly touted before the season, a shoulder issue has sidelined Sasaki, and Roberts confirmed the team is preparing for the possibility that he may be out for the year.
“We have to plan on life without him at least this year,” Roberts said when asked if Sasaki would be back in 2025.
Dave Roberts gave some updates on where Roki Sasaki is at with his recovery right now and said the Dodgers mindset should be to prepare to not get him back this season 😳 pic.twitter.com/kRtvGnrPa7
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) June 15, 2025
After a few hopeful weeks of light throwing and progress reports, Roberts admitted Roki Sasaki has stopped throwing altogether. The young righty is still uncomfortable throwing with full intensity and won’t undergo new testing just yet.
Hype Fades Fast as Sasaki Faces Season Shutdown
Sasaki came into the year with serious buzz. After dominating in Japan, including a perfect game in 2022, he was expected to be a difference-maker in the Dodgers’ rotation. However, he had a nervy start to his MLB career, leading him to tears during the game. However, the 23-year-old made a comeback and earned his first MLB win on May 3.
But command issues followed. Over eight starts, Roki Sasaki went 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA, racking up 24 strikeouts and 22 walks in 34.1 innings. His WHIP ballooned to 1.49, and he struggled to locate his fastball consistently.
Then came the shoulder impingement. Initially seen as minor, the injury has lingered longer than expected. And while Roberts spoke optimistically in the press conference, saying Sasaki was “pain-free” and would ramp up soon, his return looks like a far-fetched dream this season.
