Dodgers' Sasaki unsure if velocity dip tied to shoulder issue

Roki Sasaki's promising start with the Los Angeles Dodgers has come to an abrupt halt due to a shoulder injury, raising questions about his long-term viability in the majors. Despite delivering solid pitching stats during his debut—showcasing a strong 4.72 ERA and 129 strikeouts over 111 innings—the injury has prompted growing concerns about his ability to sustain consistency moving forward. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasized that Sasaki's velocity decline stems from ongoing mechanical adjustments and additional shoulder issues, while also underscoring the opportunity for him to refine his delivery ahead of future starts.