The Los Angeles Dodgers have lost a starting pitcher just as their rotation was starting to return to health.
Right-hander Roki Sasaki is heading to the injured list after leaving his start on Wednesday early with a blister, manager Dave Roberts announced after the game.
Sasaki was lifted from the game against the Atlanta Braves after recording one out in the fourth inning. He had allowed four runs on six hits but had only thrown 66 pitches.
The Braves game was Sasaki's 23rd start of the season after injuries limited him to just 10 appearances a year ago. The 23-year-old entered Wednesday with a 3.42 ERA and 114 strikeouts.
The news comes as the Dodgers' rotation was slowly returning to health. Blake Snell has made three starts since returning from the IL earlier this month, Tyler Glasnow was activated and started against the Braves on Tuesday, and Shohei Ohtani could return to the mound as soon as this weekend.
Roberts said former Toronto Blue Jay Eric Lauer will likely return to the rotation in place of Sasaki.
The Dodgers were leading 3-1 at the time of Sasaki's injury but ultimately lost the game 6-5 in walk-off fashion.
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