Dodgers Rotation Suffers Devastating Blow as Roki Sasaki Heads to IL

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki is going on the injured list with a blister on his middle finger, according to manager Dave Roberts.

Sasaki was pulled in the fourth inning of Wednesday’s game vs. the Atlanta Braves, when he had already allowed a run and had two runners on base, leaving a runner on second and another at third, with one out.

The trainer and translator, Will Ireton, examined him when the team made the call to pull him. Righty Edgardo Henriquez came in to relieve Sasaki.

He finished with four runs, six hits, and two walks, with just three strikeouts. His stuff was notably lacking already during his outing, but things really fell apart in the fourth inning as the blister got worse.

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Aug 16, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) during pregame warmup against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jon Endow-Imagn Images

The Dodgers seem to be making a proactive move, trying to avoid the issue lingering and allowing Sasaki to be unlimited in the postseason.

Seemingly, the blister came out of nowhere for Sasaki, who didn’t feel it coming on until it suddenly got quite bad.

“When I was in Japan, I felt similar things a couple of times. But at the time, I felt something coming beforehand, but this time was a different case,” Sasaki said.
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According to Roberts, Eric Lauer will go back into the rotation, filling in for Sasaki. Lauer just moved back to the bullpen and made his first long-relief appearance in the game against the Braves.

Now, he gets the chance to re-enter the rotation, where he has found success despite giving up a lot of hits during his starts.

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Jul 6, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Eric Lauer (33) reacts in the second inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

With Sasaki entering the injured list, it does free up a roster spot for either a bullpen or a long-relief pitcher. Options include Gavin Stone, who is in a rehab program, or the Dodgers could add a placeholder until Justin Wrobleski‘s IL time is over.

No matter what, Sasaki and his splitter will be missed, but if he is ready for the postseason, there will be no serious harm done.