Roki Sasaki’s first MLB season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was anything but smooth. The transition from Japan came with early hurdles, including a right shoulder injury that landed him on the injured list in May and eventually on the 60-day IL as he worked through rehab.
Sasaki had a 1-1 record with an ERA of 4.46 and 28 strikeouts in 10 appearances in the regular season, per StatMuse. The numbers reflected the challenge that Sasaki had during the regular season, especially before his injury.
However, after returning from his injury, Sasaki settled in and emerged as a reliable option out of the bullpen for a Dodgers team that ultimately captured their second straight World Series.
In the playoffs, the Japanese standout posted an ERA of 0.84, six strikeouts, and three saves in nine postseason appearances last season, per StatMuse.
Despite thriving in the bullpen, Sasaki will be returning to the starting rotation for the 2026 MLB season. Despite concerns over his two-pitch arsenal of a fastball and splitter, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, believes the 24-year-old can find success as a starter.
“I think last year, all in all, was a really good experience for him,” Friedman said during a Jan. 29 appearance on Dodgers Territory. “He was able to dominate in the NPB with those two pitches. Frankly, I think he could here as well with being able to execute his pitches on a higher level.
“Last year, just delivery was out of whack, velocity was down a little bit. Ability to execute was off a little bit. It’s either adding that third pitch or elevating the pitch-making ability, and we’ve seen that from him in the past.”
Roki Sasaki Receives Major Backing From LA’s Front Office
Moreover, Friedman didn’t hesitate to state that he expects Sasaki to have a long career despite the hurdles that he faced in Year 1 as a Dodger.
“We couldn’t be more bullish on what he’s capable of,” Friedman added. “He is an extremely talented pitching prospect and sometimes takes those guys a little bit of time to put things together, but I will bet on him having a really long and really good Major League career.”
Dodgers GM Have No Doubt That Roki Sasaki Is a Starter
Everyone in the Dodgers’ front office believes that Sasaki will be a starting pitcher. Along with Friedman, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes echoed those remarks.
“Starter for sure,” Gomes told WEEI’s Rob Bradford in a Jan. 28 video. “He looks great. Velocity is really good in bullpens. He’s feeling awesome physically [and] continuing to work on the cutter and two‑seam. If he just went fastball‑split, and he could dominate. And as he rounds out the arsenal, it’s going to be really challenging for teams as he gets through the third time in the order.”
Sasaki has chosen to skip the World Baseball Classic to focus on his second season in the majors, per World Baseball Network. After a difficult 2025, the break could give him the time needed to expand his pitching arsenal.
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