The Dodgers have been dealing with a tough season due to injuries, losing key players at different points along the way. And one of them was young Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki. He went down with a right shoulder impingement. The good news is his recovery is moving in the right direction, and his return to MLB is getting closer. But it comes with a twist…

Sasaki was already struggling to put good numbers from the mound before get got sidelined with injuries. For context, he was going 4.72 ERA with 24 SOs only. Hence, fans and analysts are skeptical whether the Dodgers will induct Sasaki again in the starting rotation or will they option him to the minors. However, now a new update on Shohei Ohtani, Sasaki might get another opportunity to prove himself.

Manager Dave Roberts announced that Ohtani will not be pitching against the Giants, after his comeback was moved up and he had to pitch against the Orioles. Despite an impressive showing, throwing 70 pitches over 3.2 innings and not allowing a run during a no-decision. Reason? He is unwell. “We just felt that there was the sickness, we moved him up, so just to give a little extra rest on the backend of that last start,” Dave Roberts said.

The Dodgers were planning to keep Ohtani in the 5-man starting rotation in the postseason, but these sudden absences are opening the window of opportunities for Sasaki. The Dodgers hope that Sasaki is able to fill the void of his fellow Japanese.

The Dodgers got their shock absorbers with Sasaki

Now the question is to what extent the Dodgers could depend on Sasaki’s service in the postseason. For the unversed, he looked average in his rehab program in the minors. Tuesday was his last rehab game in Triple-A Oklahoma City, and yes, Sasaki looked sharp. Notably, he struck out 8 in 4 innings. But his inconsistencies before injury could prove detrimental in securing a major league call-up.

Moreover, we are also not sure how the Dodgers are planning to use Sasaki. Before his injury, Sasaki played as a starter, but that was due to Ohtani’s unavailability. Now that Ohtani is back in business, chances are likely that Sasaki will end up in the bullpen. So, even if it is not the starting rotation, the Dodgers’ pitching depth will be tested by the rivals in the postseason.

Now, with Ohtani temporarily sidelined from the mound, the best chance awaits Sasaki. By delaying the start for Ohtani, the Dodgers might have two-way advantages here. First, Ohtani will have ample rest before he returns to the field, and Sasaki could also be tested before the postseason looms.

Hence, no matter how the Dodgers plan with Sasaki, the hyped pitching lineup of them that largely went sidelined this season due to injuries will finally take the field in the postseason.