Sasaki Leaves Start Early With Possible Blister Issue
Los Angeles Dodgers starter Roki Sasaki departed Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning after appearing to hurt a finger. The team replaced him with reliever Edgardo Hernandez, and reports indicate the issue may be a blister. Before exiting, Sasaki allowed four runs over 3.1 innings while striking out three.
Sasaki's early exit adds another concern to a Dodgers rotation already managing workloads through the season's final stretch. The right-hander had been on a strong run, allowing three or fewer runs in every start since early July before Wednesday's outing against Atlanta. His command wavered in the fourth inning prior to departure, and the team quickly turned to Edgardo Hernandez from the bullpen. The blister designation, reported by The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, is notable because finger issues can linger for pitchers and often require careful monitoring between starts. The Dodgers will likely evaluate Sasaki's condition in the coming days before determining his next scheduled appearance.
This injury could affect the Dodgers' rotation depth during a critical point in the season, potentially altering pitching plans for upcoming series. Fans and fantasy baseball managers alike may track Sasaki's status closely, as blister problems can recur and force missed starts. If the issue proves minor, the impact may be limited to a single skipped turn; if it lingers, the team could need to adjust its bullpen usage or call up additional arms. The broader baseball community may also watch how the Dodgers handle a young pitcher's health amid playoff positioning.