In the past three months, he has been on the injured list for eight games! Sasaki Roki has been criticized as a "delicate flower."

Since the "Reiwa Monster" Sasaki Roki joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, expectations and doubts from the public have followed him closely. Although he forms the "Japanese Three Pillars" with Yamamoto Yoshinobu and Ohtani Shohei, Sasaki has only appeared in eight games this season, accumulating 34.1 innings, and has been rehabilitating since May due to "right shoulder impingement syndrome." Having never completed a healthy season in Japan, encountering injuries in the higher intensity MLB naturally reignites the criticism of him being a delicate flower.

Veteran Japanese journalist Yagi Yu pointed out in "Weekly SPA" that Sasaki was highly protected during his time with the Chiba Lotte Marines, making him a representative of "greenhouse care." Now, under the high-intensity schedule of Major League Baseball, the costs of such nurturing are gradually becoming apparent. Many Japanese fans familiar with him are already accustomed to his repeated injuries and are not surprised by this development.

Currently, Sasaki is actively engaged in rehabilitation, with his pitching speed rising close to 150 kilometers per hour. He is expected to have a chance to return to the field in late August, but whether he will directly step into the major leagues has sparked differing opinions. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the team still hopes he can contribute in the second half of the season. However, media reporters, including Dodger Blue editor Matthew Moreno, suggest that he should return next year, emphasizing that "it's better to prepare for the next season than to force it now." They believe Sasaki should first learn mindset and strengthen his physical condition in the minor leagues, gradually regaining his 160-kilometer fastball and control from his time in Japan to ensure a longer career ahead.

Additionally, Yagi mentioned in his column that Sasaki faces not only the challenge of adapting to the major league baseball but also the dry climate of the West Coast and the tight frequency of pitching appearances, which put a strain on his control and body. These factors contribute to his difficulty in leveraging the advantage of his 160-kilometer fastball.