Dodgers' Dave Roberts Says Roki Sasaki 'Looks Like a Different Person'

""He looks like a different person," Roberts said. "I just think there's a lot more confidence, a lot more conviction and obviously the stuff is up than where it was earlier this year. He's learned a lot from this season.""

"The right-hander had a similarly difficult start to Triple-A when he began his rehab assignment, however evenutually settled in. He had a 7.07 ERA through four starts, however pieced things together his fifth time out on Sept. 9, when he threw 4.2 innings and struck out eight. He allowed three runs in the outing, but kept his opponents scoreless for the first four innings."

"After that, the Comets moved Sasaki to the bullpen, where he seemed much more comfortable. They brought him in from the bullpen twice, and he had two great outings. He struck two batters out in his first relief appearance, and kept a perfect inning the second time out."

Roki Sasaki returned from a monthlong rehab and was used as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts in his first major-league appearance back. Manager Dave Roberts said Sasaki shows more confidence, conviction and improved stuff compared with earlier this year. Sasaki struggled early, posting a 4.72 ERA in eight starts (34.1 innings) before landing on the injured list with right shoulder impingement on May 13. He had mixed results in Triple-A but improved, and the Comets moved him to the bullpen where he delivered strong relief outings. The Dodgers view him as an important bullpen option if the unit continues to struggle and hope to keep him healthy and available.

Read at Dodgers Nation