Roki Sasaki Targeting Return During Dodgers’ Upcoming Giants Series

Roki Sasaki is targeting a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers when the club begins its next homestand against the San Francisco Giants.

The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 27 because of a blister on his right middle finger. After initially being considered for a return during the Dodgers’ road trip, Sasaki is now most likely to pitch during the Sept. 18–20 series at Dodger Stadium.

Sasaki faced hitters across multiple simulated innings Sept. 9 and followed that work with a bullpen session in Miami.

The Dodgers have not identified which game Sasaki could pitch against San Francisco. They also have not formally announced his activation or confirmed whether he will immediately return as a traditional starter.

Sasaki Has Progressed Through Simulated Work

Sasaki’s most significant test came Sept. 9 when he faced hitters at Dodger Stadium.

The simulated outing allowed the Dodgers to evaluate the condition of his finger while monitoring his command and pitch quality in a controlled setting. He then threw another bullpen session Sept. 11 at loanDepot park.

Roberts said pitching coach Mark Prior wanted an opportunity to watch Sasaki before the club selected a date for his return.

“He threw to hitters, he’ll throw another bullpen, and at that point in time it’s just figuring out what day to slot him in,” Roberts said. (Dodger Blue)

The Dodgers briefly considered activating Sasaki during the Miami series. However, Emmet Sheehan ultimately handled Sunday’s start and delivered six scoreless innings.

Los Angeles has since shifted Sasaki’s likely return window to the upcoming homestand.

Blister Interrupted Sasaki’s Stronger Second Half

Sasaki suffered the blister during his Aug. 26 start against the Atlanta Braves.

He said the skin on his finger suddenly ripped while facing the first hitter of the fourth inning. The injury worsened as he attempted to continue pitching and eventually affected his ability to throw his slider.

Sasaki allowed four runs across 3⅓ innings before leaving the game.

The timing was particularly frustrating because the 24-year-old had been pitching better following the All-Star break. He went 2-0 with a 3.05 ERA across seven second-half starts before landing on the injured list.

Overall, Sasaki is 5-5 with a 4.60 ERA this season. (MLB.com)

The injury interrupted a stretch in which Sasaki had begun showing improved command and greater consistency deeper into games.

Dodgers Have Not Announced a Specific Role

The current reporting suggests Sasaki is being prepared to pitch multiple innings, but the Dodgers have not officially declared exactly how they will use him upon his return.

His simulated work was spread across multiple innings, and Roberts previously discussed finding a day to “slot him in.” Those details point toward a return to the rotation, but Los Angeles still has flexibility.

The Dodgers currently have Tarik Skubal, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan available as starting options.

Sheehan will remain in the rotation even after Sasaki returns, according to Roberts. That could lead the Dodgers to use a six-man rotation during the final stretch or manage certain starters’ workloads with October approaching.

Sasaki also proved he can contribute as a reliever during the 2025 postseason. That experience could eventually factor into the Dodgers’ October planning, but no decision about a relief role has been announced for his expected September return.

Any statement that Sasaki is definitely returning to the bullpen would be premature.

Giants Series Is the Current Target

Sasaki became eligible for activation earlier in September, so his continued absence is based on readiness rather than roster rules.

The Dodgers open a three-game series against the Giants on Friday, Sept. 18. That gives Sasaki several additional days to continue throwing and allow the blister to fully heal.

MLB’s official injury tracker lists the Giants series as his expected return window and says he will most likely pitch after the Dodgers return home. (MLB.com)

That timeline is not yet a guarantee.

The Dodgers must confirm that Sasaki’s finger can withstand his full pitch mix without reopening the blister. His slider will be an important test because that was the pitch most affected when the injury occurred.

If he completes the remaining work without another setback, the Giants series appears to be the most realistic opportunity for his return.

Sasaki’s Return Could Help Dodgers Manage Rotation

The Dodgers are approaching the postseason with several experienced starters healthy at the same time.

Adding Sasaki would give the club another rotation option and make it easier to manage workloads during the final nine games of the regular season.

It would also provide Sasaki with at least one or two opportunities to face Major League hitters before the postseason begins.

Those outings could influence how the Dodgers view him for October. A strong return could keep Sasaki in the conversation as either a starter or multi-inning relief option, while any recurring finger trouble could complicate those plans.

For now, the Dodgers are focused on getting him back into a game.

Sasaki has completed the most important stages of his throwing progression, and the Sept. 18–20 series against San Francisco is now the clearest target for his return.