Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki exited his start against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning after sustaining a blister on his pitching hand. Sasaki allowed four runs over 3.1 innings before leaving the game with two runners on base.
The starter allowed six hits during his abbreviated outing, including a 400-foot solo home run to Braves first baseman Matt Olson in the opening frame that put Atlanta ahead 1-0. Sasaki responded immediately in the bottom of the first by forcing a ground out and a strikeout to limit further damage. Throughout his performance, the right-hander mixed his pitch selection, leaning heavily on his four-seam fastball and using his splitter three times to close out the first inning. He also introduced a rare forkball twice, with velocity readings reaching 87 and 89 mph. However, Sasaki was unable to complete the fourth inning after medical staff and teammates gathered at the mound to inspect his right throwing hand. He departed with Los Angeles holding a 3-2 lead, leaving runners stranded at second and third base.
Following Sasaki’s departure, the game evolved into an offensive contest between Los Angeles and the National League East leaders. Both teams exchanged the lead before arriving at a 5-5 tie in the seventh inning. Tommy Edman hit a home run for the defending World Series champions, while Edman, Shohei Ohtani, and Freddie Freeman each produced two hits through the first seven innings.
Sasaki’s blister issue presents a tactical setback for the Dodgers as pitching rotations settle during this phase of the season. Blisters on a pitcher’s throwing hand frequently require careful management or short periods on the injured list to allow the skin to heal and avoid further disruption to pitch mechanics. Leaving two runners on base contributed to his final line of four runs allowed, underscoring the timing of his departure. The Dodgers will assess Sasaki’s hand status over the coming days before deciding whether he can take his next turn in the starting rotation.
