Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki took an encouraging step Monday in his recovery from a right middle-finger blister, throwing a bullpen session ahead of the club's four-game road series against the Cincinnati Reds beginning Monday. The development keeps the 24-year-old in consideration for a return Thursday vs. the Reds, though the Dodgers have not committed to activating him. The Los Angeles Times' Maddie Lee took to X, formerly Twitter, on Monday afternoon with manager Dave Roberts' latest update.

“Roki Sasaki threw a bullpen today and tested out covering the blister wirh dermabond, Dave Roberts said. He’s a possibility for Thursday, but ‘we just can't put him in a position to go backwards,' so still TBD.”

The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since August 27 after the blister opened during his start against the Atlanta Braves one day earlier. He lasted 3 1/3 innings and threw 66 pitches before leaving the game.

Monday's bullpen allowed Sasaki to test Dermabond over the healing blister while throwing. The Dodgers remain cautious because another setback could further delay his return as the regular season enters its final weeks.

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Sasaki is 5-5 with a 4.60 ERA and 117 strikeouts across 119 1/3 innings and 23 starts this season. His results had improved before the injury, as he posted a 3.05 ERA over 38 1/3 innings in seven starts following the All-Star break.

Thursday remains a possible return date rather than a confirmed activation. The Dodgers have an open rotation spot for the series finale against Cincinnati, but Sasaki's availability will depend on how his finger responds following Monday's bullpen session.

The Dogers head into Monday at 90-59 and atop the NL West as it prepares for the postseason. Getting Sasaki healthy would provide another rotation option, but Roberts' update makes clear that the club will not risk reversing his progress simply to fill Thursday's opening.