LOS ANGELES -- Dodgers rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki continued to make strides while on his rehab assignment, flashing some improved velocity in his third start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday night.

Sasaki averaged 96.4 mph and topped out at 98.8 on his four-seamer, an uptick from his previous start last Wednesday . The 23-year-old struck out four, walked two and allowed three earned runs on five hits across 3 2/3 innings against the Memphis Redbirds (Cardinals' affiliate). He threw 75 pitches (47 strikes).

Earlier in the week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the goal had been to get Sasaki through four innings and possibly into the fifth. Sasaki is expected to need at least one additional rehab start before he can be an option to return to the big league club.

Sasaki ha

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