Roki Sasaki Struggling in First Game Since Shoulder Injury Triggers WILD Reactions on Social Media: “Washed at 23”

In his first game since injury, Roki Sasaki was able to pitch just 2 innings in the minor league and gave up 3 runs through 6 hits without any strikeouts.

Roki Sasaki Struggling in First Game Since Shoulder Injury Triggers WILD Reactions on Social Media: “Washed at 23”

Roki Sasaki (Image via MLB)

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Roki Sasaki was back on the pitching mound on Thursday. The Los Angeles Dodgers star made his first appearance since the shoulder injury he suffered in May and took part in a minor league game. He did not have the best of outings, though, and struggled.

The Japanese international suffered a right shoulder impingement in May and has been out of action since then. In a rehab assignment for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sasaki went up against the Albuquerque Isotopes.

Things, however, did not go the way he would have hoped for. It took him 41 pitches to close out two innings. In this, he gave up 6 hits, conceded 3 runs, and walked one better. He did not manage to strikeout a single batter.

After recording 6 outs, Sasaki failed to retire the two batters he faced in the 3rd inning. He was then taken off the mound.

Sasaki was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market in the offseason. While the likes of both the San Diego Padres and the New York Yankees pushed hard for his signature, he eventually ended up signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The 23-year-old has had a rough start to his career in the big leagues. In his 8 starts this year before the injury, he had a 1-1 record with an ERA of 4.72. In the 31.1 innings that he has pitched, he has given up 17 earned runs through 28 hits and managed to pick up 21 strikeouts.

Social media reacts to Roki Sasaki’s first outing since May

Roki Sasaki did not have the best of days on Thursday. While trying to make a positive start in his first game since May, the youngster struggled from the mound and had an early exit from a minor league game.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (Image via ClutchPoints)

Sasaki’s 2-inning showing in the minor league ignited some wild reactions from social media users. Several fans on X would take a swipe at him after this performance. One user wrote, “Washed at 23” while making fun of the Dodgers star.

Check out that and some other reactions from X below:

In this outing against the Isotopes, Sasaki’s fastball velocity averaged at 93.6 mph and topped out at 95.7 mph. During the 3-inning simulated game last Friday, he had a fastball velocity between 96 and 97 mph.

The Dodgers had originally planned to get him through 3 innings. However, with a high pitch count after just 2 innings, he was pulled out. As per reports from MLB.com, Sasaki could rejoin the team in late August or early September when he stretches out to five innings or has a 75 pitch count.

Roki Sasaki will have to work hard to get back into Dodgers rotation

At the start of the season, Roki Sasaki was expected to play a major part and become a key member of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching rotation. However, things have not gone as many would have hoped for. While Sasaki is now back from injury, he will have to work hard to get back in the rotation.

Roki Sasaki
Roki Sasaki (Image via X/@TalkinBaseball_)

The Dodgers have had issues in their pitching rotation this year. The pitching staff of the team has been trying to rebound in the final quarter of the season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been the best starter for the Dodgers this season. Despite a 10-8 record in 23 starts, the Japanese pitcher has a 2.84 ERA with 145 strikeouts in 126.1 innings.

Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell both have spent time on the injured list this year. However, both of them are back and are expected to play a huge role for the remainder of the season.

Veteran southpaw Clayton Kershaw also has a winning record so far this year. The future Hall of Famer is 6-2 in his 14 starts and has provided some top innings for the Dodgers.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani has also gone back to his two-way status and resumed pitching. Given all of this, there are chances that Sasaki might have to sit out for a while.

Last week, Dave Roberts dropped an honest take regarding Sasaki. The Dodgers manager expressed that the team will take their 13 best pitchers into the playoffs. If he is one of them, then Sasaki will be part of the roster; otherwise, he might have to sit out and watch from the sidelines when the Dodgers make it to the postseason.

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