【Shigeo’s Review】
The right shoulder impingement issue of pitcher Roki Sasaki has come to light, causing significant turmoil among fans and stakeholders.
As manager Dave Roberts mentioned, the fact that Sasaki withheld this information until after his last outing, despite feeling discomfort for weeks, is quite serious.
While the spirit of self-sacrifice is to be respected in professional baseball players, enduring pain to achieve results is not necessarily a commendable action. Rather, reporting abnormalities early and receiving appropriate treatment is crucial for maintaining a long-term career.
In Sasaki’s case, despite having dealt with a similar issue last year with the Chiba Lotte Marines, the recurrence of these symptoms raises questions about inadequate condition management and possible mistakes in judgment on his part.
There are also doubts about the responses from the team doctors and coaches. If he had been feeling discomfort for weeks, why weren’t measures taken to deactivate or rest him at that point?
Whether the player himself concealed the issue or if it was an oversight by the team is a matter that requires further investigation. In any case, the Dodgers should take greater responsibility for the health management of a player they have heavily invested in, and neglecting this situation reflects poorly on the team.
Fans and the media have also pampered him too much as a “delicate ace.” The high expectations since his debut year and the excessive pressure may have contributed to this situation. Ultimately, by pushing himself too hard, he inconvenienced the team and gave the impression of betraying their trust. This is a responsibility that extends beyond him to the management and the entire surrounding community.
Additionally, there is a possibility that this injury could jeopardize his return this season. Although Sasaki was regarded as a future ace at a young age, the label of being “fragile” could diminish his market value.
The professional world is harsh, and once a reputation declines, it’s not easy to recover. Some voices suggest that his move to the posting system was rushed, and a more cautious approach to his career planning should have been taken.
This incident involves not only Sasaki’s professional awareness but also the team’s management system and the excessive expectations of the media and fans, making it a complex issue.
While it is undeniable that he concealed his discomfort, those around him who overlooked the situation share significant responsibility. Moving forward, it is crucial to maintain transparency regarding injury situations and future return plans and to focus on preventing recurrences.
No one wishes to see him pushed to the point of breakdown. I sincerely hope that Roki Sasaki can regain his health as soon as possible and return to an environment where he can showcase his true abilities.
