"I feel better about being able to throw harder, especially because I'm completely pain free," Sasaki said through an interpreter. Sasaki is scheduled to pitch three simulated innings at Dodger Stadium over the weekend before going on a rehab assignment. The Dodgers will stretch Sasaki back out as a starting pitcher. Sasaki said he now has "a better understanding a second time through on where the pain came from and how to make sure that the pain doesn't come back." His mechanics are "not 100 percent right now," Sasaki added, "but I think it's in the right direction."