Dodgers notes: Roki Sasaki, Max Muncy, Tommy Edman

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Roki Sasaki delivered another encouraging outing in relief, with two strikeouts in a scoreless seventh inning on Friday night. Given the current beleaguered state of the bullpen and the stuff Sasaki possesses, it’s hard to envision a Dodgers postseason roster without him on it.

Mario Delgado Genzor at Baseball Prospectus analyzed Sasaki’s first relief appearance, on Wednesday in Arizona, adding this:

This singular inning is the closest Rōki Sasaki has looked to his peak in a competitive game since signing with LA, one in which he looked like the sort of eye-opening reinforcement that couldn’t have come at a better time for the Dodgers as they scramble to put together a group that might be able to hold onto a lead for once. The inherent volatility Sasaki has shown in his professional career makes him the ultimate wild card for a pitching staff in desperate need of a hero, a rock they can rely on to some degree.

Jay Jaffe at FanGraphs took a look at the Dodgers relief struggles, and the pending October bullpen additions of Sasaki, Emmet Sheehan, and Clayton Kershaw.

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Brock Stewart ending his season with shoulder surgery wasn’t the only Dodgers injury on Friday.

Max Muncy is dealing with leg bruising after getting hit by a pitch against the Giants, and hasn’t played since Wednesday, while still working through some swing issues. From Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times:

“It’s just trying to be smart about a couple things,” Muncy said. “Just trying to manage all of that, stay on top of that and hopefully clean all that up.”

Tommy Edman, who’s been sidelined twice with a right ankle issue this season, is still hampered by the injury. He delivered the game-winning hit in the 11th inning on Wednesday but was removed for a pinch-runner, feeling something from the diving catch he made in the ninth inning.

Edman also sat Thursday and Friday, but could be back in the lineup on Saturday. From Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register:

“It’s not gonna be 100% throughout the rest of the season. It is something we’re gonna have to keep managing,” Roberts said. “But my thought is he’ll be back in there tomorrow.”

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