Dodgers news: Edwin Diaz, Roki Sasaki may return from their injuries soon
Dodgers news: Edwin Diaz, Roki Sasaki may return from their injuries soon appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers could soon receive reinforcements for their pitching staff, with Edwin Diaz and Roki Sasaki progressing toward potential returns from the injured list.
Diaz faces another rehab test, while Sasaki could return during the club’s upcoming road trip. Both pitchers must continue progressing before the Dodgers clear them to return.
The Athletic’s Katie Woo provided an update Tuesday on X, formerly Twitter, outlining the potential return windows for both pitchers.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)
“Edwin Díaz is slated for a back-to-back starting Wednesday. If he comes out well, he could rejoin the Dodgers as soon as Sunday in Miami. Roki Sasaki could rejoin the team during the next road trip as well.”
Diaz landed on the 15-day injured list on August 18 with neck inflammation, marking his second IL stint this season. He began his rehab assignment Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City and threw one scoreless inning against Round Rock.
The 32-year-old allowed one walk while recording a called strikeout across 16 pitches. Manager Dave Roberts described the outing as good but indicated Diaz needed additional work before returning. His upcoming back-to-back appearances represent his final planned checkpoint.
The former New York Mets closer has struggled since returning from April elbow surgery, posting an 11.85 ERA across 13 2/3 innings. Roberts has said Diaz would initially pitch in lower-leverage situations if activated rather than immediately return to the ninth-inning role.
Sasaki, meanwhile, landed on the 15-day IL after leaving his August 26 start against the Atlanta Braves with a blister on his right middle finger. The 24-year-old becomes eligible to return Friday, when Los Angeles opens its road trip in Miami.
Before the injury, Sasaki had recorded a 2.31 ERA across six starts and 35 innings following the All-Star break.
The Dodgers enter Tuesday’s second game of a three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at 87-57 and atop the NL West. Neither Diaz nor Sasaki has received clearance to return, but both continue working toward possible activation during the upcoming road trip.
Related: Yankees tie wild streak 34 seasons in the making
Related: Cubs SS Dansby Swanson’s injury timeline suggests return is near