Dodgers Pitcher Roki Sasaki's Availability For WBC Might Be In Question

While the Los Angeles Dodgers have given designated hitter-pitcher Shohei Ohtani their blessing to play for Japan in the World Baseball Classic, the picture isn't so clear for his fellow pitcher, Roki Sasaki.

That's according to a report from veteran Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. When news broke about Ohtani taking part in the WBC, Harris' report also had some interesting tidbits about Sasaki.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, when speaking with Japanese media members, while on a promotional tour in Japan, indicated that the club would support players wanting to play in the WBC for Japan. That includes not only Ohtani and Sasaki, but fellow pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto as well.

But Roberts' comments also offered a word of caution, too.

"We’ll support them," Roberts said, according to Harris' report. "But I do think that the pitching, it’s a lot on the body, the arm. The rest will be beneficial for next year, for our season. But we understand how important the WBC is for these individual players and for the country of Japan."

Here's how Harris broke down the WBC situation regarding Sasaki and Yamamoto:

The Dodgers could choose to block Sasaki’s participation in the WBC, since he spent much of last year on the 60-day injured list, but have not yet given any indication about whether they would do so. The club can’t do the same with Yamamoto, but could still try advocating for him to be used more conservatively in the tournament coming off his especially burdensome postseason performance.

- Los Angeles Times' Dodgers beat writer Jack Harris' comments on Dodgers players and their involvement for Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

There's a willingness for the Dodgers to allow Ohtani, Sasaki, and Yamamoto to take part in the WBC. The club's concern, though, covers how much use on the mound each player would get. That could throw a monkey wrench into some of the club's pitching plans.

Ohtani might want to pitch, but Dodgers management might tell the Japanese club that Ohtani can only pitch X amount of innings.

Sure, the three Dodgers players want to perform at their highest level for their native homeland's squad.

It will be interesting to see how all of this shakes out. The Dodgers have a ton of money invested in Ohtani, of course, and a few bucks, too, on Sasaki and Yamamoto. All three played vital roles in leading the Dodgers to a second consecutive World Series championship.

If anyone knows about their true value, then it's Roberts.

So, what will happen here? The days and weeks leading up to the WBC will be telling not only for these players, and Sasaki in particular, but for the Dodgers as well.