Blister Forces Early Exit
On Wednesday at Truist Park, the Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a 6-5 walk-off loss to the Atlanta Braves, with Roki Sasaki not involved in the decision. The right-hander surrendered four runs, six hits, and two walks across 3 1/3 innings. The game's first run came in the opening inning when Matt Olson connected on a low inside slider, sending it off the right-field pole for a solo homer.[S1]
By the third inning, the Dodgers had rallied to a 3-1 lead, but Sasaki encountered trouble in the fourth when a blister on his right middle finger burst as he faced his first batter, whom he walked. A subsequent single and sacrifice fly narrowed the gap to one run, and a Sean Murphy double placed runners on second and third, prompting Sasaki's exit. Reliever Edgardo Henriquez then gave up a two-run double to Drake Baldwin.[S1]
Injury and Reaction
Sasaki described the blister as coming on abruptly, saying it was the first time it happened so suddenly. He noted that part of the skin tore off, making it difficult to throw pitches like sliders. Manager Dave Roberts expressed disappointment, calling it a pretty good blister that came out of nowhere, especially after Sasaki's recent strong outings.[S1][S3]
The Dodgers placed Sasaki on the 15-day injured list, as confirmed by Roberts. The move is retroactive, making him eligible to return around September 10 or 11. Sasaki had been one of the team's most consistent starters, tied with Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the team lead with 23 starts. He entered the game with a 2.31 ERA over six starts since the All-Star Break.[S2][S3]
Rotation Adjustments
Left-hander Eric Lauer will take Sasaki's spot in the rotation, moving back from the bullpen where he had been since Tyler Glasnow's return. Lauer has a 3.76 ERA in 67 innings this season. The Dodgers have a series of important games ahead, including a matchup against the Braves on Thursday with Yamamoto facing Chris Sale, and a weekend series in Detroit.[S2][S3]
The Dodgers have dropped the first two games of the series with Atlanta, leaving them two games ahead of the Braves in the race for a first-round bye. They are also two games back of the Brewers for the top seed. Sasaki's injury may impact his postseason role, with speculation he could move to the bullpen if the team's other starters are healthy.[S2][S3]
