Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Pauses Throwing Program Amid Shoulder Injury Rehab

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki has paused his throwing program after experiencing discomfort, and there is currently no timeline for when he will resume, per the Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett.

The 23-year-old posted a 2.10 ERA over four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball before signing with the Dodgers. Since joining Los Angeles, Sasaki has recorded a 3.72 ERA across 34.1 innings, tallying 24 strikeouts while issuing 22 walks.

As discomfort continues to linger for the Japanese phenom, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is prepared to navigate the remainder of the 2025 season without the young starter.

“We have to plan on life without him at least this year, that’s fair to say," Roberts told reporters.

On June 12, Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior shared that Sasaki is pain-free but still not close to returning to the mound. Despite the absence of pain, Sasaki is currently “not comfortable” when throwing, per Plunkett, delaying his return.

“Not a whole lot to report on Roki,” Prior told reporters on Thursday (h/t Sports illustrated). “I think right now we’ve got to get him in a position where he feels confident in his ability to throw the baseball.

“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.”

Despite the setbacks, Sasaki has remained active in the weight room, focusing on building strength, though he has not been throwing a baseball, according to Roberts.

Without the Dodgers starter they sit at 42-29 standing firmly in first place in the NL West.