LOS ANGELES -- The writing appeared to be on the wall when it came to Roki Sasaki 's season in early September.

Sasaki had just completed his fourth rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City, allowing four runs in five innings. Concerningly, he averaged just 94.4 mph on his four-seamer, his second-lowest mark in 12 starts in the Majors and Minors.

Manager Dave Roberts was closer to verbalizing the harsh truths of the matter than he had been for most of Sasaki's rehab process: There was no fit for Sasaki on the Dodgers as currently constructed.

"Against Triple-A hitters, you would expect more," Roberts said on Sept. 3. "And I guess the bar is high right now, because we’re in a pennant race. So to warrant pitching on our staff right now, there’s got to be urgency on his part and really do

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