As the Los Angeles Dodgers continue to get healthy, the ballclub is eagerly awaiting the return of starlet pitcher Roki Sasaki.

Sasaki has been sidelined with a shoulder issue dating back to his last appearance on May 9. The Dodgers have been extremely cautious in working Sasaki back from injury given the fact it’s his introductory season in the big leagues. Additionally, the ceiling for the 23-year-old is sky-high — and the last thing the ballclub wants is to rush him back into action at the risk of enduring a more severe injury.

Roki Sasaki is about to get some throwing work in at Dodger Stadium.

He was greeted with a “late” gesture and a big hug ?

Dave Roberts says Roki should be activated some time in August ? pic.twitter.com/Rb8fWZG1Gi

— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) July 22, 2025

While working out some mechanical issues away from the team, Sasaki reportedly has developed another pitch: a two-seam fastball. Manager Dave Roberts revealed this when speaking to the media recently.

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Sasaki has introduced a two-seam fastball to his four-seam/splitter/slider mix and threw it in live batting practice at Camelback Ranch last week and in Wednesday’s bullpen.

Roberts relayed that the new pitch gives him a better opportunity to get early-count ground ball outs.

Roki Sasaki, Tanner Scott and Michael Kopech each threw a bullpen session today.

Dave Roberts says Dodgers are moving in a good direction.

— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) August 5, 2025

Roberts further elaborated that Shohei Ohtani’s influence may have rubbed off on the young pitcher. Having some variance with his fastballs also should enable Sasaki to be a bit more diverse and unpredictable with his presentation.

“It’s probably a combination of the pitching coaches, probably watching Shohei [Ohtani], probably watching major league hitters,” Roberts said of Sasaki’s new two-seamer. “To have two separate fastballs, one that potentially could miss a bat, one that could put a ball on the ground, those are two good weapons. So I appreciate that Roki is open to the two-seamer as well.”

The hope is that Roki Sasaki returns as a starter in early September, but that doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed a spot on the playoff roster, says @ByJackHarris.

“Dave Roberts put it this way: When we go into October, we’re gonna take the thirteen best arms we have.” pic.twitter.com/qgjvXlBvoV

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) August 7, 2025

On the year, Sasaki has relied on three pitches including a four-seam fastball, a splitter, and a slider. The worry on Sasaki had been his lack of a playable third pitch. The splitter has a reputation at this point in being an elite pitch. Without a consistent slider, Major League hitters have simply been sitting on Sasaki’s fastball.

In theory, having another heater coming out of the same arm slot with different movement should enable his normal four-seamer to play up and be harder to track given the presence of another fastball.

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Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

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