Thu May 15 04:10:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Dodgers’ Sasaki Acknowledges Shoulder Discomfort, Velocity Drop Remains a Mystery**

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, currently on the injured list with a shoulder impingement, admitted the discomfort is a recurrence of a similar issue he experienced in Japan last season. However, the young phenom remains unsure if the shoulder issue is the primary cause for his recent drop in velocity.

“It’s hard to tell if it’s the main reason why my velo and command was affected,” Sasaki said through an interpreter Wednesday. He described the feeling as not necessarily pain, but an issue with the ideal movement of his shoulder that began in early May, prior to his IL placement.

Sasaki, who generated immense excitement on the international market this past offseason, has struggled to a 4.72 ERA in his first eight MLB starts. His fastball, which routinely reached triple digits in Japan, has averaged only 95.7 mph this season and dipped into the 94 mph range in his most recent outings. This is a concerning development, as his fastball is crucial in setting up his devastating splitter.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the velocity drop is a combination of mechanical adjustments Sasaki is still making, compounded by the shoulder issue. “There’s nothing, per se, that I can say is for certain. But it is a very good time for me to make sure that I can get to the bottom of it,” Sasaki stated regarding the cause of his discomfort.

While Sasaki is currently shut down from throwing, he is not expected to require a pain-relieving injection. The Dodgers are managing a series of injuries to their pitching staff, with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow also dealing with shoulder problems. Clayton Kershaw is set to rejoin the rotation this Saturday, providing a needed boost.

The team is taking a cautious approach with Sasaki, viewing this downtime as an opportunity to address both his health and refine his mechanics. “I do think that this is a good time to be able to do that,” Sasaki said. “I want to make sure that I’m fully healthy and be able to address anything that I had so that it leads to better performance.” This setback allows Sasaki to essentially start from scratch, which is an opportunity to also work on some of the mechanical adjustments required for him to succeed in the major leagues.

**Summary:**

Roki Sasaki is on the IL with a shoulder impingement, a recurrence of an issue he had in Japan. He isn’t sure if it’s responsible for a drop in his velocity and command. His fastball, once consistently over 100 mph, is now averaging 95.7 mph and dipping lower. Dave Roberts thinks mechanical adjustments are partly to blame. Sasaki will use this time to address his health and work on mechanics.

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