The Los Angeles Dodgers activated rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki from the 60-day injured list on Wednesday and plan to deploy him out of the bullpen over the final five games as an audition for a postseason spot.

To clear a roster spot, veteran reliever Kirby Yates went on the IL, retroactive to Sunday, due to a strained right hamstring.

Sasaki, 23, opened his first major league season in the rotation and started eight games, going 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings. He last pitched for the Dodgers on May 9 before being sidelined with an impingement in his right shoulder.

Sasaki made seven rehab outings for Triple-A Oklahoma City, including five starts, posting an 0-2 record with a 6.10.

The activation of Sasaki comes as Los Angeles seeks late-inning stability bef

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