Dave Roberts forced into panic mode as another injury rocks the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a major blow in the final stretch of the season after confirming that Roki Sasaki will miss at least one turn in the rotation due to injury.

Dave Roberts announced that the Japanese pitcher will be placed on the injured list after suffering a blister on the middle finger of his right hand during his start Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves . The Dodgers manager also revealed that veteran left-hander Eric Lauer will take Sasaki’s spot in the rotation.

The injury occurred in the fourth inning of the game at Truist Park , when the training staff visited Sasaki on the mound before he was removed from the contest. The right-hander exited with the Dodgers leading 3-2 and runners on second and third base. His outing ended after 3.1 innings , allowing six hits, four earned runs, two walks, and striking out three batters, while also surrendering a solo home run to Matt Olson .

While a blister is rarely considered a serious injury, it can significantly impact a pitcher who relies on grip and feel to execute his pitches. That is why the Dodgers decided not to take any chances and give Sasaki time to fully recover, avoiding the risk of the issue worsening at such a crucial point of the season.

The timing could not be worse for Los Angeles. Sasaki had been one of the team’s biggest positive stories during the second half of the season, finally finding consistency after the All-Star break and establishing himself as a reliable piece of the rotation. His resurgence was even more valuable after a difficult rookie season in 2025 , when a shoulder injury sidelined him for several months.

Although the Dodgers expect his absence to be short, the injury puts even more pressure on a rotation that has constantly had to be reshuffled due to injuries among its starters.

That is where Eric Lauer comes in. The left-hander has split time between the rotation and bullpen throughout the season, becoming a versatile option for Roberts. He will now return to a starting role while Sasaki completes his recovery.

For now, the Dodgers remain optimistic about the situation. Placing Sasaki on the injured list is viewed primarily as a precautionary move rather than a sign of a major concern , and the team expects the Japanese star to return to the rotation once the blister has fully healed.