Dave Roberts Discusses How Dodgers Will Use Roki Sasaki When He Returns

Roki Sasaki told reporters he is “pain-free” on Tuesday in his first press conference since mid-May. He threw a bullpen session on Tuesday before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the St. Louis Cardinals and his velocity reached 96 mph.

Even without Sasaki, the Dodgers already have six starters in their rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow returned from the injured list last month, and two-way player Shohei Ohtani has become a regular starter.

That leaves some people wondering if Los Angeles would convert Sasaki into a reliever for their bullpen when he returns. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers view him as a starter but that could change later in the season.

“Obviously, he…