Overview
- The Dodgers removed Sasaki after 3 1/3 innings and 66 pitches when trainers, pitching coach Mark Prior and manager Dave Roberts examined a blister on his right middle finger.
- Sasaki was charged with four earned runs on six hits in the outing after reliever Edgardo Henriquez inherited two runners who later scored following a Teoscar Hernández misplay.
- The team confirmed during the game on Wednesday, Aug. 26 that the issue was a blister and said it is monitoring Sasaki while no 15-day injured list move had been announced.
- Blisters on a pitcher’s throwing hand can disrupt grip, command and pitch selection and have in the past required IL stints or recurring management, which raises concern for postseason availability.
- Sasaki had been pitching well since the All-Star break, so the immediate impact is to a player who was shaping into a late-season bullpen option and whose health will affect how the Dodgers sequence high-leverage arms in October.