Overview

• In Tuesday’s appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sasaki averaged 96.4 mph and touched 98.8 mph, allowing three runs over 3 2/3 innings with four strikeouts and two walks on 75 pitches.
• His splitter generated seven whiffs, while his four-seam fastball produced two whiffs, reflecting progress from earlier rehab outings with minimal fastball swing-and-miss.
• Manager Dave Roberts said each start has improved and indicated one more rehab game is expected before a decision on a return, with the goal of building him to a longer workload and restored conviction.
• Despite the velocity bump, fastball effectiveness remains a concern, with roughly 100 rehab fastballs producing only three whiffs, according to The Athletic’s tracking.
• Media skepticism persists, as USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the team cannot count on Sasaki for October, while the Dodgers’ six-man rotation affords patience after a pre-injury 4.72 ERA and a May shoulder impingement IL stint.