Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts praised rookie right-handed Loki Sasaki after the bullpen appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Sasaki took on a new role as a rescuer when he returned from a rehabilitation assignment for over a month. In his first appearance back in the majors, the 23-year-old pitched perfect innings with two strikeouts.
“He looks like another person,” Roberts said. “I think I have more confidence, more certainty, obviously more clear than the place at the beginning of this year. He’s learned a lot from this season.”
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Sasaki began the season with a major league roster, but had difficulty adapting to MLB early in the season. He started in eight times and posted 4.72 from 34.1 innings to 34.1 innings before landing on the injured list on May 13th.
The right-hander got off to Triple A, an equally difficult start when he began his rehabilitation assignment, but it even settled down. He allowed three runs on the outing, but kept his opponent scoreless in the first four innings.
The Comet then moved Sasaki into the bullpen, where he looked much more comfortable. They brought him out of the bullpen twice and he had two great outings. He hit two batters with his first relief appearance and maintained a perfect inning in the second.
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The addition of Sasaki to the bullpen is important to the . Because he will be a significant piece if the rest of their bullpen continues to struggle. The continue to try and prove themselves towards the postseason with just a handful of games in the regular season, so they want to make him healthy and available.
The ‘ final series of seasons will begin on Friday at 6:40pm, facing the Seattle Mariners.
Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Immagn Image
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