Roki Sasaki will not return to the Major Leagues by the end of August; Dodgers’ manager continues to stress the importance of building confidence.

The Los Angeles Dodgers' "Reiwa Monster" Roki Sasaki was originally set to return to the Major League mound by the end of August, but that has now been canceled. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated today (26th) when discussing future plans that "there is nothing more confidence-building than in-game performance, so the last outing was good."

In his second rehab start, Roki Sasaki threw 60 pitches over 3.1 innings, allowing 2 runs (1 earned), giving up 3 hits, striking out 2, and walking 3. His four-seam fastball averaged 96 mph, with a top speed reaching 97.8 mph. He is getting closer to his peak 100 mph "heat," and he believes he can reach that again, needing only time to regain his form. Sasaki himself stated, "If I keep working hard, that number will appear again."

Dodgers manager Roberts explained in an interview today: "Sasaki will pitch again this week, though the exact day is still undecided. The plan is for him to pitch through the 4th inning, or at least into the 5th, which would be his longest outing since returning to game action, and he will likely need one more start after that." This effectively confirms that the original plan for an August return is off. According to the current schedule, the earliest return would be in early September. Excluding the day of his Triple-A start, the Dodgers will have only 31 games left, while the Triple-A season continues until September 21st (U.S. time).

Roberts explained, "Considering the current state of our starting rotation, he will probably need to pitch one more time." This implies Sasaki’s return to the Major Leagues could happen in the second week of September.

Roberts had previously expressed his hope that Sasaki would develop true confidence to face 22 to 24 batters and command his pitches at will. Today he reiterated this point: "I heard the second outing was better than the first, with many positive aspects. Although he’s not yet fully back to peak form, he is definitely getting closer. Nothing builds confidence more than in-game performance, so the last outing was good."