PHOENIX (AP) — The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday, and the right-hander is expected to throw out of the bullpen over the final five games of the regular season to see if he can earn a postseason role.
Manager Dave Roberts confirmed the move, saying right-hander Kirby Yates will head to the injured list because of a lingering hamstring issue. The move is retroactive to Sept. 21.
Roberts said he doesn't have a specific role for Sasaki, but wanted him to take advantage of his opportunities.
“Giving everything he has for an inning or two at a time,” Roberts said. “That's kind of what I see. Let the performance play out. Just go after guys and be on the attack.”
The 23-year-old Sasaki is 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings over eight big league appearances this season, all starts. He's also spent time at Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he was 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA over seven appearances, including five starts.
The defending World Series champion Dodgers are searching for bullpen help as the postseason approaches. Tanner Scott blew a save in Tuesday's 5-4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
His debut season in the big leagues has been mostly disappointing, but the Dodgers hope he can still have a role in October.
Sasaki is one of three Japanese players on the Dodgers' roster along with two-way star Shohei Ohtani and right hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
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