Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki directly asked manager Dave Roberts about his role upon his return.
Roki Sasaki’s request
After returning to the Dodgers and making a one-inning appearance, Sasaki spoke to reporters and revealed a hidden detail about his role upon his return.
He said he personally requested to move into a bullpen role to adjust and get used to his postseason role.
With all of the starting pitchers healthy, Sasaki will be relegated to a high-leverage postseason reliever, allowing his three pitches to shine.
Sasaki is willing to do whatever is best for the team, even if it involves not pitching as much as usual.
“I’m just going to give my best, whatever opportunity I’m given,” Sasaki said. “Doesn’t matter if it’s a couple innings or not, just go out there and perform.”
Dave Roberts celebrated Sasaki’s unselfishness and willingness to put the team before himself.
“It’s just showing that whatever it takes to help us win, knowing that any inning he throws in the postseason is going to be huge,” Roberts said. “He clearly understands that.”
How did Roki’s return from injury go?
Sasaki suffered a blister on his right middle finger, which kept him on the injured list for a couple of weeks.
The Japanese righty was activated on Tuesday, September 22nd, and after his activation, he has been put into a relief role, pitching just one inning
Sasaki came into the fourth inning, allowed two hits, and pitched a shutout inning. He also added two punchouts and threw 20 pitches.
According to Baseball Savant, he allowed just one hard hit. Sasaki allowed four whiffs on 11 different swings. Additionally, he got two called strikes.
Both of his strikeouts came on the splitter, his signature pitch. His fastball was 0.9 MPH faster than his season average.
All in all, his first taste of competitive pitching was a success, and Dave Roberts should trust him, given his exploits as the closer last year.
