Dave Roberts said on September 20, 2026, that Roki Sasaki will return as a reliever for the Los Angeles Dodgers and could pitch multiple innings, while the club has not committed to using him as a closer.
“I can see him coming into a clean inning and pitching two innings,” Roberts said. He added that Sasaki would probably receive another one or two shorter outings before the 2026 season ends, and noted that his potential use as a closer would depend in part on how he performs in his return outing.
Roberts stated that the Dodgers would prefer one closer but do not currently have a one-person closer, leaving room to assign high-leverage innings according to matchups and game situations. He evaluated Evan Phillips and Brock Stewart as trusted options to close games, saying Phillips had improved after returning from Tommy John surgery and that Stewart had been effective against both right- and hitters. Roberts also said Stewart was recovering from surgery and needed to be managed carefully to remain strong and healthy.
Roberts said Shohei Ohtani was expected to play all nine innings, with the option to manage his workload during the game. He also mentioned that Ohtani's condition had improved from approximately five out of ten to eight or nine out of ten. Shelley was expected to be activated on September 21, 2026, and enter the lineup, although the corresponding roster move had not been determined.
Blake Snell threw a bullpen session for the Los Angeles Dodgers and was targeted to pitch on September 26, 2026, in the Bay. Roberts praised the San Francisco Giants as a talented team and said, “Can never count them out.”
The Dodgers' stated plans were for Sasaki to receive another one or two shorter relief stints before the 2026 season ended, while Snell was targeted to pitch on September 26, 2026, and the club continued to manage Ohtani's workload and evaluate its closing options.