SAN FRANCISCO — After Roki Sasaki showed some encouraging signs during his latest rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, he was set to fly back to Los Angeles to discuss next steps with the organization.
The conclusion: Sasaki’s rehab assignment will continue for at least one more start with Oklahoma City, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday.
Sasaki flashed improved velocity and command early on in his fifth rehab start on Tuesday, but a “little calf situation” cropped up in the third inning, Roberts said. There isn’t much concern about the calf being a longer-term setback for Sasaki, who has been on the injured list with right shoulder impingement since May.
Sasaki should be lined up to make his next start with Oklahoma City on Tuesday. After that, it would be feasible to see him back in the big leagues. Given that there are no openings in the Dodgers’ six-man rotation, Sasaki would likely need to shift to the bullpen.
“I think that Roki is … from my understanding, in a good place to do whatever it is to help the team,” Roberts said. “[Pitching in relief] would be something that would be completely odd to him, so it would have to be a little bit of a leap of faith on his part, as well. But I think that he understands how good the starting pitchers are pitching. He just wants to be a part of it. He’s worked really hard to get himself into a position to contribute.”
Saturday will mark 30 days since Sasaki made his first start for Oklahoma City, which is significant because Minor League rehab assignments are generally allowed to last up to 30 days for pitchers. Because of the calf issue, Roberts said, the organization can extend Sasaki’s rehab stint.
“There are conversations with Roki and the organization, and both parties have to feel good about it,” Roberts said. “I do know that he feels good to keep going. I do know the calf was a little bit of an issue. If that’s the case that we’ve passed the [30th] day and that’s the only way we can keep it going, then yeah.”