Roki Sasaki Injury: Blister, Heads to IL

Roki Sasaki is headed to the injured list after a blister on his right middle finger ended his start against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning Wednesday. ABC7 Los Angeles, Kyodo News, and Dave Roberts (to the California Post's Jack Harris, via Heavy) all confirmed the 15-day IL move. Sasaki lasted 3 1/3 innings, 66 pitches, four runs, six hits, and two walks. The Dodgers later lost 6-5 on Ha-Seong Kim's walk-off single.

"I actually didn't feel anything coming beforehand," Sasaki said through an interpreter, per ABC7. "My skin just ripped off, and after that it kinda got worse." He felt the tear facing Ozzie Albies to open the bottom of the fourth. A layer of skin stayed on. Three batters later it was gone, the slider had no command, and pitching coach Mark Prior waved in the trainer. Roberts called it "a pretty good blister" that "came out of nowhere."

How long is Roki Sasaki out?

At least two weeks. A 15-day IL stint makes him eligible Sept. 10. Roberts told ABC7 it is "going to be a minimum two weeks." Sasaki can still play catch with the finger bandaged so the arm stays live. Eric Lauer will take the next turn in the rotation. Kyodo listed Sasaki at 5-5 with a 4.60 ERA in 23 starts. ABC7 had a 2.31 ERA across six starts since the All-Star break. The blister cuts that run off cold.

Olson hit Sasaki's low inside slider off the right-field pole for a first-inning homer. Los Angeles led 3-1 by the third. In the fourth the blister popped, a walk and a single and a sacrifice fly made it a one-run game, and Sean Murphy doubled. Sasaki was done. Drake Baldwin doubled in two runs off Edgardo Henriquez. The night was already sideways before Kim ended it.

What does the Sasaki IL mean for the Dodgers rotation?

October is crowded without him. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are back. Shohei Ohtani is trending toward a one-inning mound return Sunday in Detroit. Tarik Skubal and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are rotation locks. ABC7 reported Sasaki is highly unlikely to take October starts, and that a long absence makes a bullpen return more likely than another run as a starter. Search queries write themselves: Roki Sasaki injury, Sasaki blister, Sasaki IL. This is the transaction, not a rumor.

He had dealt with blisters in Japan. Roberts said he did not think Sasaki had one this year. "For it to kind of come out of nowhere was a surprise to all of us," the manager said. "He was on a good run." Thursday is Yamamoto against Chris Sale in a series Los Angeles is trying not to get swept. Sasaki will not be on the mound for it. He will be on the IL, finger wrapped, waiting out two weeks that the Dodgers cannot get back.

Roki Sasaki injury FAQ

Why is Roki Sasaki on the IL? A blister on his right middle finger that tore in the fourth inning Wednesday against Atlanta.

When can Sasaki return? A 15-day IL makes Sept. 10 the earliest date. Roberts said a minimum of two weeks.

Who replaces Sasaki in the rotation? Eric Lauer, per ABC7 and Heavy. The Dodgers have Snell, Glasnow, Yamamoto, Skubal, and a possible Ohtani opener behind him.