Riki Sasaki's return delayed due to blisters, Dodgers worried about heightened risk due to high temperatures

Ruki Sasaki. (File photo, AFP)

[Sports Center/Comprehensive Report] Dodger Japanese right-hander Riki Sasaki recently suffered blisters on his fingers and was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Riki Sasaki may return to the major leagues to start against the Reds as soon as Thursday, US time (Friday, Taiwan time), but head coach Dave Roberts said that due to the local high temperature environment, he is worried that the blisters may burst again.

Riki Sasaki's last start was on August 26, US time. At that time, he pitched 3.1 innings against the Warriors and conceded 4 points. He left the game early. The next day, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to blisters on his right middle finger. Recently, Riki Sasaki started doing live shooting practice (Live BP).

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The Dodgers will start a four-game away game against the Reds today. According to a report by Orange County Chronicle reporter Bill Plunkett, Riki Sasaki will start in the last game of the four-game series as soon as possible. However, the Dodgers are worried that the daytime temperature in the weather forecast for that day will reach 90 degrees Fahrenheit (about 32 degrees Celsius), which may increase the risk of the blisters rupturing again.

"All else being equal, you can favor one option over another," Robles said. "But now you have to factor in the heat, the humidity. So, those are things we're weighing."

"We just can't let him regress," Robles said. "So obviously, everyone can focus on Thursday. But then again, if he can't start without problems and may have an injury, it's not worth the risk. So I think for us, it's better not to put a timetable on his return at this time and keep it open."

Riki Sasaki started 23 games this year, posting 5 wins, 5 losses, and an ERA of 4.60. He pitched 119.1 innings with 117 strikeouts, a batting average of 0.244, and a WHIP of 1.33.