Sasaki’s Injury Might Unlock Dodgers’ Fallback Plan for Playoffs
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QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Has Roki Sasaki Ready to Return from Blister as Starter or Reliever?
Roki Sasaki had made strides progressing toward earning a full-season starting spot with the Dodgers until a blister developed on his middle finger during a start in Atlanta. The injury forced him to sit out playtime.
What seemed like an obstacle may actually present a beneficial pivot.
With Tyler Glasnow returning to the rotation and Shohei Ohtani positioned to make his debut, Sasaki appears open to stepping into high-leverage relief openings once his current status clarifies.
“There’s certainly value in that,” manager Doug Roberts stated.
Depending on how long Sasaki remains sidelined, Roberts indicated he could return as a starter from the injured list.
He also emphasized strategic benefits: incorporating Sasaki could give wearier arms additional offensive demands during critical stretches.
“There’s also value later in the stretch,” the manager continued, considering scheduling variations.
Credit has been attributed to Sasaki for advocating strongly within a structure that historically offered limited influence.
Signed previously with the team at a significantly reduced contract due to his youth eligibility classification, Sasaki demonstrated extraordinary resilience throughout the regular season.
After reaching a career-high with twenty-three starts, his performance in the latter portion of the season with three earned-run averages posted, signaling a viable path forward.
He can now concentrate on October preparation.
PITCHER OF THE WEEK
Tyler Glasnow (5 innings, 3 runs, 7 strikeouts this week; 3.02 ERA, 44 ⅔ innings, 56 strikeouts this season)
His return highlighted the positive impact despite an otherwise difficult week for Los Angeles in Atlanta.
Although Glasnow surrendered three runs in the opening frame, those early breakdowns carried minimal weight in the broader context. More significant was his composure from the second through fifth innings, where he guided the Braves to just two hits while recording six strikeouts.
Whether deployed as a starter or reliever, the veteran offers transformative potential for the roster as they head into October.
Glasnow will prepare for either assignment, with the plan calling for him to enter a game following Shohei Ohtani’s first-inning appearance in the series finale in Detroit.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Hunter Feduccia (5 for 12, 1 walk, 3 RBIs this week; .282 average, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, .774 OPS with the Dodgers this season)
The 29-year-old catcher emerged as Clifford’s primary position holding, particularly after Will Smith was shifted to a defensive role.
Breaking onto the major league scene with the Dodgers and being acquired mid-trade deadline from the Tampa Bay Rays, Feduccia established himself as the anchor for the position group.
He provided essential stability, managing Blake Snell through six immaculate inning efforts without his own peak form.
Additionally, Feduccia offered notable offensive contributions, fueling a four-day power surge that elevated the bottom of the order’s production.
PROSPECT OF THE WEEK
Jacob Kmatz (0.84 ERA, 10 ⅔ innings, 14 strikeouts in double-A Tulsa; 2.54 ERA across 41 minor-league appearances this year)
The team identified another promising addition even amid disruptive deadling that produced acquisitions like Tarik Skubal and other elite assets.
Acquiring Kmatz at the trade deadline proved fruitful, as he quickly adapted and displayed exceptional talent at emerging levels.
“The prospect the Dodgers obtained from the Rays debuted yesterday with a scoreless outing,” team analyst Chad Moriyama observed regarding recent movement.pic.twitter.com/CtB3MjRm3a
Among the team’s most steady performers this cycle, Kmatz has remained effective following struggles with regular-position gameplay last year, successfully navigating transitions to relief responsibilities in Tampa Bay’s upper-level affiliates.
Maintaining current momentum suggests he could be drafted into larger-scale roles within the coming two seasons.
