Roki Sasaki Struggles in First Spring Training Outing with Dodgers
Scottsdale, AZ – Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki had a challenging first spring training start on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sasaki, vying for a spot in the Dodgers’ rotation, allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over 1 1/3 innings.
Erratic Performance and Pitch Count
Sasaki’s outing was marked by control issues, throwing 36 pitches with only 17 resulting in strikes. He gave up a leadoff single to Geraldo Perdomo and walked Tim Tawa, putting runners on first and second with no outs. Although a fielder’s choice got an out at second base, Nolan Arenado followed with a line-drive double to left field, scoring Perdomo. Ildemaro Vargas then hit another double, driving in Tawa and Arenado to extend the Diamondbacks’ lead to 3-0.
Despite the early struggles, Sasaki battled back to strike out Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt to finish the first inning. He struck out Druw Jones to begin the second inning but then walked Aramis Garcia before being replaced, having reached his pitch count of 36. His fastball topped out at 98.6 mph.
Background and Previous Performance
Sasaki signed a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus last offseason, becoming the 13th Japanese player to join the Dodgers franchise. He had a breakout performance as a reliever in the 2025 postseason, helping the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series, posting a 0.84 ERA and earning three saves over 10 2/3 innings.
Prior to his postseason success, Sasaki’s 2025 rookie season was hampered by a right shoulder impingement, limiting him to 36 1/3 erratic innings with an ERA of 4.46. He finished the regular season with a 1-1 record. He also had a 6.10 ERA in seven minor league rehab appearances with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Looking Ahead
Sasaki is aiming to refine his arsenal, specifically working on developing a cutter as his third pitch. He will continue to compete for a rotation spot during spring training.
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