Roki Sasaki’s Shoulder Injury: Impact on Dodgers’ 2025 Season and Future Outlook
Introduction
Roki Sasaki, the young Japanese pitching phenom who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers with high expectations, is facing a significant setback in his rookie MLB season. Repeated shoulder issues have forced the Dodgers to shut him down from throwing indefinitely, casting doubt on his availability for the remainder of the 2025 season. This report delves into the injury specifics, its consequences for the Dodgers’ pitching staff, and what this means for Sasaki’s development and the team’s strategic planning.
The Injury and Its Immediate Consequences
Roki Sasaki’s struggles began with a right shoulder impingement diagnosed in May 2025, mirroring a similar health concern that affected him during his final season in Japan with the Chiba Lotte Marines. Despite efforts to pitch through discomfort, Sasaki reported soreness following a start in mid-May, prompting the Dodgers to place him on the 15-day injured list. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Sasaki has been officially shut down from any throwing activity, and no clear timeline has been established for his return.
The nature of a shoulder impingement—where tendons or bursa in the shoulder get compressed—raises concerns because the shoulder is crucial for a pitcher’s velocity and control. Sasaki’s fastball velocity has been lower than his usual 96-99 mph range, which could reflect the severity of the injury or prudence in managing his workload.
Performance and Adjustment Challenges
Sasaki’s MLB debut season has been far from smooth. Prior to being sidelined, he posted a 4.72 ERA over 34.1 innings, a noticeable contrast to his impressive 2.10 ERA during his professional tenure in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Control issues, highlighted by multiple walks and struggles in maintaining command, have compounded concerns for Dodgers fans and analysts alike.
These challenges can be partially attributed to the adjustment period inherent in transitioning from NPB to MLB, a step up in competition and intensity that many international players face. The combination of performance inconsistencies and injury complications suggests a fragile stage in Sasaki’s career trajectory.
Dodgers’ Strategic Response: Life Without Sasaki
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has candidly addressed the team’s outlook, emphasizing that they “have to plan on life without him” for the remainder of the season. With no definitive return date from Sasaki’s arm troubles, the Dodgers must shore up their starting rotation using alternative pitchers. This includes activating other arms such as Emmet Sheehan from the 60-day injured list to fill gaps.
The Dodgers’ decision to shut down Sasaki early reflects a cautious approach frequently seen in modern baseball medicine, prioritizing long-term health over short-term gain. Given the team’s competitive aspirations and roster depth, management appears prepared to move on without expecting Sasaki’s contributions this year.
Implications for Sasaki’s Development and Future
The injury and subsequent shutdown have implications that ripple beyond the 2025 season. Sasaki arrived with the label of a “monster” talent—the “Monster of the Reiwa Era” in Japan—projected to be a foundational ace. Unfortunately, the torn labrum surgery he required in 2024 had already cost him a full season, adding to the cumulative health concerns.
The shoulder impingement raises questions about Sasaki’s durability and whether a new approach to his mechanics or workload management is needed. His “unorthodox delivery,” while effective, may also contribute to physical strains.
Dodgers pitching coach and medical staff will likely intensify rehabilitation oversight and consider long-term plans centered on gradual reintegration, ensuring that he regains both velocity and command without risking further injury. The team remains hopeful, though realistic, acknowledging the uphill path Sasaki must navigate.
Dodgers’ Broader Pitching Concerns
Sasaki’s injury adds to an already depleted Dodgers pitching staff, strained by multiple injuries to top arms, including Shohei Ohtani, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin. While additions like Tyler Glasnow offer help, losing a high-upside arm like Sasaki disrupts rotation depth and competitive balance.
The Dodgers’ aggressive offseason spending and signings have been viewed as attempts to build a pitching staff capable of enduring the rigors of a long season, but Sasaki’s setback underscores the unpredictability of relying on young, high-profile pitchers transitioning from international leagues.
Conclusion: A Season and Career Tested by Injury
Roki Sasaki’s 2025 MLB campaign has been derailed by a right shoulder impingement that has sidelined him indefinitely, forcing the Dodgers to plan without his presence for the remainder of the year. His performance struggles and health challenges highlight the difficult adjustment period faced by international pitching phenoms entering MLB.
For the Dodgers, the focus has shifted to managing the rotation with available resources, while maintaining optimism about Sasaki’s rehabilitation and future potential. His unique talent and once-unstoppable fastball still offer promise, but his path forward will require patience, medical prudence, and perhaps adjustments to his delivery and training regimen.
Sasaki’s situation is a reminder of the fragility inherent in pitching careers, especially for young players transitioning to a more demanding environment. The impact on the Dodgers’ season is substantial, but the long-term goal remains clear: develop Sasaki into the elite ace he was projected to be, safeguarding his health for many years to come.
