Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts gave rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki high praise after his bullpen appearance against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Sasaki took on a new role as a reliever upon his return from more than a monthlong rehab assignment. In his first appearance back in the majors, the 23-year-old threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts.
“He looks like a different person,” Roberts said. “I just think there’s a lot more confidence, a lot more conviction and obviously the stuff is up than where it was earlier this year. He’s learned a lot from this season.