Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki commented on his disappointing start against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday.
Sasaki made his first start for the Dodgers since May 2025, but struggled to get out in the first inning. He allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while recording three strikeouts and lasted only 1.1 innings despite being expected to pitch two at the start of the day.
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“There are some positive things, but there are also things I need to work on,” Sasaki said through a translator.
“… In the bullpen, I felt good about the forkball, but once I got on the mound, it didn’t go well. And the four-seamer, I felt good in the bullpen, but once I got on the mound, it felt a little off.”
Sasaki has had trouble as a starting pitcher in his short MLB career, posting a 4.72 ERA in eight starts last season.
After returning from injury in 2025, he switched to a relief pitcher and performed much better than before. While in the bullpen, Sasaki allowed just one run in 11.2 innings during the regular season and postseason.
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Sasaki will have plenty of time to improve his performance with the Dodgers, as he will not be participating in the 2026 World Baseball Classic with Team Japan. Despite today’s results, he seemed to be progressing well, with his fastball velocity hitting 98.6 mph early in the game.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) pitches to the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of a game at Salt River Stadium in Scottsdale on February 25, 2026.
What role will Roki Sasaki play for the Dodgers in 2026?
The Dodgers face a big choice as they must decide who will fill out the back end of the rotation next season.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow make up two-thirds of the six-man rotation, leaving two spots open for the Dodgers’ other starters. Sasaki is one of several players vying for the spot, such as Gavin Stone, River Ryan and Emmitt Sheehan, and he will certainly have to improve towards the end of the season if he wants to earn a spot.
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Still, he showed a lot of promise in his first full season with the Dodgers, and it’s doubtful the organization would be complaining about him in the bullpen if he performed as well as he did late last season.
Do you want Raku Sasaki in the bullpen or in the rotation next season?
