Roki Sasaki Exits Dodgers Start Against Braves Due to Finger Blister

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki left his start on Wednesday night against the Atlanta Braves in the fourth inning after suffering a blister on his right middle finger in Atlanta.

Sasaki allowed four earned runs on six hits and two walks while striking out three batters across 3.1 innings before team trainer Thomas Albert, pitching coach Mark Prior, interpreter Will Ireton, and manager Dave Roberts examined his bloodied finger on the mound and removed him after 66 pitches.

Edgardo Henriquez entered in relief for Sasaki, who left two runners on base that subsequently scored when left fielder Teoscar Hernandez overran a fly ball, bringing Sasaki's season ERA to 4.60 across a professional career-high 23 starts and 119 1/3 innings pitched this year, as reported by The New York Times.

"Roki Sasaki left tonight's game with a blister on his middle finger," the team wrote on X.

The physical setback comes during Sasaki's strongest stretch of the season, having logged a 2.31 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 35 innings across six starts since the All-Star break as the Dodgers prepare for their upcoming postseason run, according to Yahoo Sports and CBS Sports.