Rollercoaster Roki Sasaki rehab assignment puts Dodgers in a difficult spot

Aug 8, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws before the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesAfter four underwhelming to downright worrisome rehab starts, Roki Sasaki finally pitched one worth getting excited about on Tuesday. He struck out eight batters in 4 2/3 innings and he threw six fastballs over 100 MPH. The fastball sat at 98.6 MPH, up 4 MPH from his Sept. 2 appearance. His first four innings were easily the most dominant of his rehab assignment so far, if not the most dominant since he came over from NPB.

But there are caveats. In the top of the fifth,…