LOS ANGELES -- As Roki Sasaki continues to work his way back from a right shoulder impingement, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Friday in order to open a roster spot for left-hander Zach Penrod, whom the Dodgers acquired from the Red Sox for cash considerations.
The news comes five days after the Dodgers announced that Sasaki had been shut down from throwing; he had yet to progress beyond playing light catch. However, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the move is “more procedural” and doesn’t imply a further setback in Sasaki’s rehab. In fact, Sasaki resumed throwing on Thursday, playing catch from out to 60-90 feet.
"[Sasaki’s] progression, it doesn’t affect that at all,” Roberts said of the 60-day IL placement.
Sasaki, 23, has been out since May 13, meaning he now cannot be activated until just around the All-Star break. At the time of his shutdown, the team was uncertain he’d be able to pitch again this season.
As of now, at least, Sasaki is feeling good.
"I would say pain-free,” Roberts said. “And then now, it’s just getting him to build up. But most importantly, he’s pain-free.”
Sasaki was the Dodgers’ headline signing this offseason. A superstar in Japan’s NPB, Sasaki has shown flashes of what he’s capable of with L.A., but the overall results have yet to match up with his ability. In eight starts, Sasaki has a 4.72 ERA, a 1.49 WHIP and an 84 ERA+. Command in particular has been a struggle, as he has 22 walks against 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings.
Still, his presence is the rotation is missed, as he’s one of several starters on the IL right now -- a group that also includes Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow and Tony Gonsolin. Even as the Dodgers have gotten starting pitchers like Clayton Kershaw and Emmet Sheehan back, they’ve still had to rely on bullpen games with some regularity.
Gonsolin is out until August at the earliest, but per Roberts, Snell and Glasnow are taking steps forward in their recovery this weekend. Glasnow is set to begin a rehab assignment with a scheduled two innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, while Snell is slated to throw a second bullpen session at Dodger Stadium in the next few days.
Penrod, 28, was designated for assignment by Boston on Sunday. He made his Major League debut in 2024, posting a 2.25 ERA in seven games. He made six appearances for Triple-A Worcester this season, recording a 5.68 ERA and seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings.
The Dodgers made another pitching-related move on Friday, calling up right-hander Will Klein and optioning right-hander Jack Little to Oklahoma City. Klein, 25, was acquired from the Mariners on June 2 for left-hander Joe Jacques. In 28 Minor League appearances split between Triple-A Tacoma and Oklahoma City, he has a 6.75 ERA with 44 strikeouts and 20 walks in 26 2/3 innings.