'He just doesn't have...': Los Angeles Dodgers manager voices concern over Roki Sasaki’s early struggles

The Los Angeles Dodgers had high hopes for their rookie Roki Sasaki, who was acquired in the offseason amid high competition from other teams. Unlike most of the other international signings, the Dodgers inserted Sasaki in the rotation, but the Japanese has hasn't had the start to his MLB as he was used to in back home.

What did Dave Roberts say about rookie Roki Sasaki?

After seeing his name on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement injury on May 9 while playing against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sasaki had gone 1-1 in eight games started, which saw him throw 39.1 innings for a 4.72 ERA.

This had the manager of Dodgers, Dave Roberts in a spot of bother. Matthew Moreno posted what Roberts said on his X account (formerly known as Twitter).

Dave Roberts and Mark Prior both have said Roki Sasaki was pain-free. But this was Roberts today: I don't know if he's feeling something, or he just doesn't have the confidence to kind of trust that he's in a good spot.

Los Angeles Dodgers provides health update on Roki Sasaki

The Los Angeles Dodgers have seen many of their starters go down due to injuries and Roki Sasaki is one of them. Dave Roberts provided major health update on the Japanese ahead of the three-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

The Los Angeles Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said that the franchise are not taking any risks with Sasaki.

Not a whole lot to report on Roki. I think right now we’ve got to get him in a position where he feels confident in his ability to throw the baseball, Prior said via SI.

There’s not a lot to report. He’s been throwing, still just light catch and not a lot of work other than light catch right now. … He is pain-free, but hasn’t gotten to the point where he can put enough intensity to push forward in his progression. It’s just a light catch, just exercising in his throw and not necessarily pushing the throw.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are optimistic that Sasaki takes back his spot in the rotation that includes the likes of Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Apart from Roki Sasaki, Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are also injured.