The Dodgers’ clubhouse has been hit with setbacks all season—injuries, losing streaks, a struggling offense, and shaky pitching. You name it, and the Dodgers are already doing everything they can to deal with it. And their latest loss against the Cardinals (2-3) on Monday highlighted their pitching woes yet again. But the tone in the trainer’s room is changing as some arms have shown progress. Could those same arms be ready to deliver strong performances from the rotation?
The Dodgers’ injury list has been as busy as a freeway at rush hour, but three key pitchers are finally getting close to coming back, with the playoffs around the corner. The three arms are Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott, and Michael Kopech.
Enter Roki Sasaki, and suddenly things become interesting. Dodger Blue just posted on X that “Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech each threw a bullpen session today. Dave Roberts says Dodgers are moving in a good direction.” What caught everyone’s eye was the follow-up: “Roki Sasaki said he doesn’t feel any pain in his right shoulder and has been working on his mechanics.” And “the club plans to build him up as a starter on his rehab assignment.”
Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech each threw a bullpen session today.
Dave Roberts says Dodgers are moving in a good direction.
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 5, 2025
The Dodgers brought him over from Japan in January after he put up great performances with the Chiba Lotte Marines. He made his MLB debut in March during the Tokyo Series. While struggling with shoulder issues, the 23-year-old had about eight starts through early May, going 1–1 with a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. His command wasn’t great, but his fastball, which was pitched over 90 mph, had some great moments.
Well, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech were also doing a lot of work for Los Angeles in the late innings. Scott made 47 appearances and recorded a 4.14 ERA, 50 Ks, and a 1.16 WHIP. And Kopech, on the other hand, made an appearance in 8 games with 8 Ks, and a 1.00 WHIP. The Dodgers are hopeful that their return washes away at least some of their struggles, if not all.
And the timings couldn’t be more perfect as the postseason approaches. Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell have returned to the rotation. Glasnow, with a 4.50 ERA and 23 strikeouts in his first five outings of 2025, came off the injury list in early July. Snell returned to the mound in early August after a four-month absence, striking out eight batters without walks, while giving up a few runs. As October approaches, their presence alongside Sasaki enhances the rotation’s strength.
Reports from July 3 to July 23, when the Los Angeles Dodgers went 4–11, say that their team ERA was 4.96. During this time, manager Dave Roberts warned that “it better be rock bottom” for their pitching problems. But there is at least new hope now.
Now that Roki Sasaki is ready, the interesting thing will be to see how Dave Roberts will fit him in the bullpen.
Dodgers juggle loaded rotation as Sasaki’s return nears
Roki Sasaki’s return coincides with a critical moment for LA’s rotation. Why? Well, the Dodgers are managing six starters—Kershaw, Yamamoto, Snell, Glasnow, Sheehan, and Ohtani. With Glasnow cleared to pitch and Kershaw struggling with consistency and durability issues, the team urgently needs quality depth in its rotation.
Sasaki is rehabilitating his injury in phases and is on track to throw simulated innings sometime in early August with a possible September start for a rehab assignment. That schedule raises an interesting dilemma: do the Dodgers try to immediately incorporate him into the already full rotation, or do they let him slowly adjust in the lead-up to the playoffs? With six starters, the question is how Dave Roberts will utilize them.
A progressive approach to integrating Sasaki by assigning him specific innings could be beneficial. This might maintain the established hierarchy led by Yamamoto and Ohtani while alleviating strain on the bullpen.
Assuming Sasaki performs effectively in his rehab, the Dodgers might integrate him into the rotation in early September. And LA might take advantage of Sasaki’s elite skills just in time for the October glory.
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