"The Dodgers knew Sasaki was unlikely to feature as a starting pitcher in October, given their healthy and dominant rotation. But they saw an opportunity to use him as a reliever in the playoffs. Only, however, if he were also open to it. "We were just honest with him, that as things stood, the only real pathway - short of multiple injuries - was in the bullpen," Friedman said. "But we wanted his full buy-in.""
"Less than two weeks earlier, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had all but written Sasaki off as a potential factor in the team's postseason plans, after the pitcher had continued to struggle in a minor-league rehab stint. But then, two days before his meeting with club brass, Sasaki had finally shown some signs of life, striking out eight batters during an auspicious start with triple-A Oklahoma City in which his fastball once again touched 100 mph and his trademark splitter was almost unhittable."
Roki Sasaki arrived at Dodger Stadium 31 days ago after signing with the Dodgers eight months earlier amid massive expectations as a 23-year-old phenom. His debut season faltered, and he landed on the injured list with a shoulder impingement after poor early performance and diminished stuff. He struggled in minor-league rehab and was largely written off for October, but then struck out eight in a triple-A start with a 100 mph fastball and an unhittable splitter. Dodgers president Andrew Friedman and GM Brandon Gomes told Sasaki the clearest postseason pathway was a bullpen role, asked for his buy-in, and promised long-term starter plans.
Read at Los Angeles Times
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