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SportsFading · day 7

Dodgers Activate Sasaki, Pages for Padres Series as Playoffs Near

After weeks of uncertainty over his role, Roki Sasaki returns from the injured list into the Dodgers' bullpen just as Los Angeles preps for October.

newest coverage 13h agosummary written 1d ago12 pieces4 likes & upvotes NewswiresBluesky

What to know

  • Sasaki's usage plan flipped repeatedly over a week: from possible rotation starter after Snell's groin injury to a confirmed bullpen role for the stretch run and playoffs.
  • The Dodgers made a flurry of roster moves — activating Sasaki and Pages, optioning Alfonso and Sheehan, and selling Ryan Ward's contract to Japan's Chunichi Dragons — just before their final series against the Padres.
  • Shohei Ohtani is expected to be activated and Blake Snell is set for one final regular-season start, rounding out the roster before the postseason.

“He came out of it well. So we have to huddle up here and figure out what's his role. ... He's going to be important, but I just don't know right now what role.”

Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager · Sports Illustrated ↗ · Sep 16

Roki SasakiRoki Sasaki Dodgers right-handed pitcherDave Roberts Dodgers managerAndy PagesAndy Pages Dodgers center fielderBlake SnellBlake Snell Dodgers starting pitcherShohei OhtaniShohei Ohtani Dodgers designated hitter/pitcher

Dodgers Activate Sasaki, Pages for Padres Series as Playoffs Near
NY Post

How it unfolded 7 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articlesposts

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Sep 18Sep 19Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 2:07 AM ET
  1. 7

    Sasaki pitches in relief as Pages returns to lineup vs Padres

    In the series opener, Sasaki was used out of the bullpen without being fully stretched out, while Pages started in center field; the same day brought word that Blake Snell will make one final regular-season start Saturday and Shohei Ohtani is expected activated Wednesday.

    “Unless I hear otherwise, he'll be in the lineup tomorrow.”
    — Dave Roberts
    • dodgersdigest.bsky.social

      Padres @ Dodgers September 22, 2026: Pages and Sasaki return as Dodgers open up final home series of the season

      dodgersdigest.bsky.socialBluesky1d ago4▲view on Bluesky ↗
  2. 6

    Dodgers formally activate Sasaki and Pages from IL

    The Dodgers activated pitcher Roki Sasaki and center fielder Andy Pages off the injured list, optioning catcher Eliezer Alfonso and pitcher Emmet Sheehan to Triple-A and selling Ryan Ward's contract to Japan's Chunichi Dragons to make room.

    1. 1 outlet first by Yahoo Sports, 1d ago · read ↗

    2. 1 outlet first by Yahoo Sports, 1d ago · read ↗

  3. 5

    Dodgers option two players to clear roster spots

    Los Angeles officially optioned two players to Triple-A Oklahoma City to open active-roster spots for Sasaki and Pages ahead of the three-game Padres series.

    1. 1 outlet Dodgers Make Flurry of Roster Moves Immediately Before Huge Padres Series

      first by Sports Illustrated, 2d ago

  4. 4

    Dodgers plan to shift Sasaki to bullpen, not rotation

    New reporting reversed the earlier rotation plan, saying the Dodgers would instead move Sasaki to the bullpen once activated, with the postseason bullpen role in mind.

    1. 1 outlet Roki Sasaki Heading Back to Dodgers’ Bullpen With Postseason Looming

      first by Yahoo Sports, 3d ago

  5. 3

    Sasaki nears return for Dodgers-Padres series

    Reports indicated Sasaki was closing in on activation for the Dodgers' final marquee regular-season series against the Padres.

    1. 1 outlet Roki Sasaki to return to Dodgers this week with a twist

      first by NY Post, 2d ago

    2. 1 outlet first by Yahoo Sports, 4d ago · read ↗

  6. 1 day quiet
  7. 2

    Sasaki describes blister that sidelined him for weeks

    Sasaki explained through an interpreter how a blister on his throwing hand worsened mid-start in late August, affecting his slider and leading to his injured-list stint.

    “My skin just ripped off, and then after that, it got worse. ... I thought I was able to manage at first because the skin was still there, but after that, it kept getting worse, and I think it affected my slider afterwards.”
    — Roki Sasaki
  8. 1

    Roberts says Sasaki will rejoin rotation after Snell injury

    After Sasaki completed a live batting-practice session recovering from a blister, manager Dave Roberts remained undecided on his role, but Blake Snell's groin injury during that night's start pushed the Dodgers to plan for Sasaki to start again, likely against the Padres.

    “one can argue it's best to [let him] take down a couple starts and keep him built up…”
    — Dave Roberts
    1. 1 outlet Dodgers latest injury crisis throws Roki Sasaki usage plan in flux

      first by NY Post, 6d ago