Roki Sasaki

Fantasy News

• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Posts promising start despite loss

  Rotowire Mar 31, 2026

  Sasaki (0-1) took the loss against Cleveland on Monday, allowing one run on four hits and two walks while striking out four batters over four innings. Amidst Sasaki's disastrous spring, there was a lot of chatter about whether the young hurler was deserving of a spot in the Dodgers' rotation. The team decided to stick with him, and Sasaki mostly looked good in his first regular-season start in spite of being handed the defeat. The right-hander was particularly effective when he went to his cutter and splitter, getting seven whiffs on 40 pitches versus just two whiffs on the 38 fastballs he threw. Sasaki may not have the longest of leashes, so this outing should be counted as a success in contrast to how he pitched during most of the spring slate. His next start is projected to take place on the road against the Nationals.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Still in rotation despite struggles

  Rotowire Mar 24, 2026

  Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recommitted to Sasaki as a member of the team's rotation after another poor outing from the pitcher Monday against the Angels, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Sasaki was pulled in the first inning Monday before recording an out, as he hit a batter and walked in two runs while throwing 30 pitches. He re-entered the game in the second inning and wound up covering two-plus frames, getting charged with five runs on six walks and two hit-by-pitches. Sasaki finished the Cactus League with a 15.58 ERA and 12:15 K:BB over 8.2 innings. Despite the struggles, Sasaki remains lined up to start Monday versus the Guardians. Roberts will be forced to have a short leash with Sasaki, however. Justin Wrobleski is set to open the season in a hybrid role and is expected to be available to cover multiple innings out of the bullpen after Sasaki, if needed.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Posts uneven spring start

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2026

  Sasaki gave up three runs on four hits and four walks while striking out five batters over 3.1 innings in a Cactus League outing against Kansas City on Tuesday. Sasaki struck out two of the first three batters he faced and got through two frames without being scored upon. In the third, he fanned the first batter of the inning but then walked three straight before being pulled. Under spring training rules, Sasaki was allowed to return for the fourth and faced two batters (giving up one hit), before coming back out for the fifth and yielding a double to end his day for good. Overall, the right-hander threw just 38 of 71 pitches for strikes, and he's now walked a whopping nine batters over just 6.2 spring frames. Sasaki said after the game that the loss of command in the third inning was caused by him trying to work on his sinker, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, but his lack of control during the spring slate is somewhat alarming. Still, manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Sasaki "is going to be one of our starters" to begin the regular season, according to Ardaya, so it sounds like the Dodgers are going to at least give the Japanese hurler a chance to show that his results in Cactus League action aren't representative of the campaign that lies ahead of him.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Shaky again in second spring start

  Rotowire Mar 3, 2026

  Sasaki allowed four runs on two hits and three walks while striking out one batter over two innings in a Cactus League start versus Cleveland on Tuesday. Sasaki began his outing in disastrous fashion, allowing two walks and a single before serving up a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo. After the Japanese hurler walked the next batter, he was pulled without having recorded an out. Under spring training rules, Sasaki was allowed to re-enter the contest in the second frame and looked infinitely better after his return, retiring the final six batters he faced. Despite the strong finish, this was a second consecutive concerning appearance for the youngster, especially in terms of control -- through two starts, he's thrown just 38 of 81 pitches for strikes while walking five batters across 3.1 innings. Still, manager Dave Roberts suggested after the exhibition that Sasaki isn't in danger of missing out on a rotation spot to begin the campaign, stating, "I think it can change, but I don't think it's going to change before we break (camp). I think that, keep building him up. We see him as a starter and giving him every opportunity for success," per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Roberts added, "I don't think there are concerns. There just has to be continued progression." It sounds like the team is going to give Sasaki a decent amount of runway to work out his struggles and remain in the big-league rotation, though he'll ultimately need to provide much better results to keep that role over the course of the regular season.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Struggles in spring debut

  Rotowire Feb 26, 2026

  Sasaki tossed 1.1 innings against Arizona in a Cactus League game Wednesday, allowing three runs on three hits and two walks while striking out three batters. Sasaki made his first appearance this spring and struggled mightily at the outset, allowing three hits (including two doubles) and a walk to the first five batters he faced. That netted the Diamondbacks two runs, but Sasaki was at least able to escape further damage by striking out the final two batters he faced in the frame. The right-hander returned for the second frame and struck out another batter before issuing a free pass and being pulled. While this was far from an encouraging outing for Sasaki, the Japanese hurler stated after the game that his delivery "is coming along nicely" and emphasized that, "It was an exhibition game, so I threw the pitches I wanted to work on," per Dylan Hernandez of the New York Post. Indeed, of the 36 pitches Sasaki threw in the outing, 11 were cutters -- a pitch he's working on adding to his arsenal -- and four were sinkers (a pitch he threw just twice in regular-season action as a rookie). With that said, fantasy managers probably shouldn't read too much into this rough outing, and the expectation remains that Sasaki will open the campaign in Los Angeles' rotation. Ultimately, however, he'll need to display much better results -- especially in terms of control, as he tossed only 17 of those 36 pitches for strikes Wednesday -- to remain a starter all year.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Expected to open 2026 in rotation

  Rotowire Dec 8, 2025

  Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said in November that Sasaki will "absolutely" be in the team's starting rotation next season, Brian Murphy of MLB.com reports. Sasaki thrived down the stretch of the regular season and playoffs as a reliever, but Gomes noted that shifting Sasaki to the bullpen was more about "trying to get his delivery back." Gomes added of Sasaki that "we're definitely viewing him as a starter and a really good one." Sasaki posted a 4.72 ERA while walking 22 batters over 34.1 innings in his eight starts for the Dodgers in 2025, but the team is confident Sasaki's struggles in the rotation were related to his mechanics, which they feel have been corrected. The 24-year-old is sure to have workload restrictions as he transitions back to a starting role, though the Dodgers' preference for a six-man rotation will make that easier.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Locks in third save

  Rotowire Oct 17, 2025

  Sasaki did not allow a baserunner while striking out one across a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save in Game 3 of the NLCS on Thursday against the Brewers. Sasaki was called upon for the first time since stumbling in the ninth inning in Game 1 of the NLCS. He rebounded Thursday, successfully protecting a two-run lead while retiring the side on just 13 pitches. Sasaki has three saves in the postseason, allowing only one earned run across seven innings of work with a 6:2 KBB.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Roughed up in NLCS Game 1

  Rotowire Oct 13, 2025

  Sasaki was unable to convert the save in Game 1 of the National League Championship Series against the Brewers on Monday and was removed after allowing one run on one hit and two walks in two-thirds of an inning. This shaky outing comes less than a week after skipper Dave Roberts praised Sasaki for his performance during his first few appearances of the NLDS against the Phillies, noting that the right-hander was the team's primary option at closer. That could change after Monday's showing, especially after Blake Treinen was able to come up big by cleaning up Sasaki's mess in the bottom of the ninth inning. However, it would be difficult to imagine that Sasaki wouldn't still be in the mix for high-leverage innings considering his elite stuff along with the state of LA's unreliable bullpen.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Secures second save of NLDS

  Rotowire Oct 6, 2025

  Sasaki recorded a one-out save in Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Phillies on Monday. Sasaki tallied a traditional save in Saturday's Game 1, but skipper Dave Roberts called on the right-hander with two outs in the bottom of the ninth Monday with runners on first and third in a one-run game. Sasaki needed only two pitches to retire Trea Turner, inducing a grounder to second baseman Tommy Edman to record the final out of the matchup. Sasaki could very well be in position to handle closing duties moving forward after Blake Treinen was rocked for two runs on three hits while failing to record an out Monday.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Nails down save in Game 1 win

  Rotowire Oct 4, 2025

  Sasaki earned the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series, allowing one hit and no walks with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning. After missing more than four months with a right shoulder impingement, Sasaki returned to the Dodgers in the final week of the regular season as a bullpen arm and earned a spot on the postseason roster. With Los Angeles' bullpen troubles this season, manager Dave Roberts deployed both Tyler Glasnow and Sasaki in relief in Game 1 on Saturday. After Glasnow and Alex Vesia combined for six outs, Sasaki took the ball in the bottom of the ninth and struck out J.T. Realmuto looking before allowing a double to Max Kepler. Sasaki then got Nick Castellanos to ground out and Bryson Stott to foul out to preserve the win. Sasaki hit triple digits with his fastball four times across 11 pitches in the ninth inning.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Earns spot on wild-card roster

  Rotowire Sep 29, 2025

  Manager Dave Roberts stated Monday that Sasaki will be on the roster for the team's National League Wild Card Series against the Reds, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Sasaki has looked sharp since his return from a right shoulder impingement, racking up four strikeouts in two scoreless relief appearances (two innings) during the final week of the regular season. Tanner Scott, Alex Vesia and Blake Treinen may be LA's top options in high-leverage situations heading into the postseason, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see Sasaki called upon in a key scenario or two given his electric stuff.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Pops triple digits on radar gun

  Rotowire Sep 27, 2025

  Sasaki recorded the second hold of his career in Friday's 3-2 win over the Mariners, giving up one hit and striking out two in a scoreless seventh inning. It's been a tough first North American season overall for Sasaki, who has only been healthy enough to throw 36.1 innings, but he appears to be back to 100 percent as he works a high-leverage relief role for the Dodgers headed into the playoffs. The right-hander topped out at 100.1 mph with his fastball Friday, and he's fanned four batters in two shutout innings since being activated from the IL on Sept. 24. If closer Tanner Scott falters in the postseason, Sasaki could find himself in some very high-pressure situations in October.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Shines in first career relief outing

  Rotowire Sep 25, 2025

  Sasaki notched a hold against Arizona on Wednesday, striking out two batters in a perfect seventh inning. Sasaki was the first reliever Dodgers manager Dave Roberts used after Blake Snell allowed just one run over six innings. The appearance was Sasaki's first out of the bullpen in the majors after beginning his career with eight starts. The right-hander not only got through a clean inning, he looked dominant in doing so, striking out two of the three batters he faced and notching three whiffs on 13 pitches. Roberts is seeking answers to patch up a beleaguered bullpen that blew its 27th save of the season Wednesday, so Sasaki could be handed a pretty prominent high-leverage role in the playoffs if he's able to consistently pitch the way he did in his initial relief appearance.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Returning Wednesday

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2025

  The Dodgers will reinstate Sasaki (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Wednesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports. Sasaki hasn't pitched in the majors since May due to a right shoulder impingement. He's been making rehab appearances at Triple-A Oklahoma City since mid-August, however, posting a 6.10 ERA and 1.60 WHIP alongside a 19:13 K:BB through 20.2 innings. Once activated, the 23-year-old righty is expected to work out of the bullpen -- likely as a middle reliever, considering he carries a 4.72 ERA in 34.1 innings with the Dodgers this season.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Could be activated this week

  Rotowire Sep 22, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder) will join the Dodgers in Arizona during their upcoming road trip and could be activated off the IL to join the big-league bullpen, though he won't be available to pitch until at least Wednesday, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports. Sasaki recently shifted to a relief role in his rehab stint and has looked great through two subsequent outings with Triple-A Oklahoma City, tossing a pair of hitless and scoreless frames while posting a 3:1 K:BB. Since his most recent appearance took place Sunday, the Dodgers won't put him on the mound again until at least Wednesday, but even in that scenario he'd still have time to make a couple major-league appearances before the end of the regular season if he's activated. Los Angeles' bullpen has been its weak point of late, so the team could look to Sasaki to shore up what has been an inconsistent relief corps, though that would be a risk in itself since the rookie hurler has (until the recent pair of rehab outings) worked exclusively as a starter throughout his professional career, both in the US and in his native Japan.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Impresses in relief

  Rotowire Sep 19, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder/calf) allowed one walk and struck out two across a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. Sasaki began his rehab assignment as a starter but shifted to a relief role for Thursday's appearance, which also marked his return from a calf injury. He touched 100.1 mph during the appearance and averaged 98.9 mph with his fastball. Sasaki is likely to be back with the Dodgers after another appearance or two and Triple-A, but he isn't guaranteed a place on the playoff roster.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Making appearance in relief

  Rotowire Sep 18, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder/calf) is scheduled to pitch in relief for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports. Sasaki suffered a calf injury in his rehab appearance Sept. 9 and is also working his way back from a shoulder injury that has sidelined him for most of the season. His shift to a relief role is notable, as he could also be auditioning for a postseason roster spot as a bullpen arm.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Battling calf injury

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder) suffered a calf injury during his latest rehab start at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports. Sasaki has been working his way back from a right shoulder impingement since mid-May and was cleared to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Aug. 14. The 23-year-old had been nearing the end of his 30-day window to remain out on assignment, but now that he is dealing with calf problems, he'll stay in Triple-A for at least one more start before returning to Los Angeles. Once fully healthy, the right-hander may be forced into a bullpen role given the abundance of depth already in the Dodgers' starting rotation.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Flying to LA after rehab start

  Rotowire Sep 11, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder) is flying to Los Angeles on Wednesday and will meet with the Dodgers to discuss next steps, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports. Sasaki's flight comes after he posted his most promising minor-league rehab start to date Tuesday, giving up three runs on three hits and four walks with eight strikeouts over 4.2 innings. While that final line isn't going to blow anyone away, the rookie right-hander most notably reached triple-digit velocity on six of his fastballs and induced 16 whiffs on 35 swings. Sasaki's eight punchouts also stood out after he notched the same number of strikeouts over his first four rehab appearances spanning a combined 14 innings. It's not yet clear what's next for Sasaki, though Harris reports that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts "left the door open" for the Japanese hurler to potentially be on the team's postseason pitching staff, which would require Sasaki to get into multiple big-league games before the end of the regular season. If that were to happen, Sasaki would likely need to work out of the bullpen, as Los Angeles' rotation currently has six healthy pitchers and has been performing well of late.

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• Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Shaky in fourth rehab start

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2025

  Sasaki (shoulder) struck out two batters and allowed four earned runs on three hits and two walks in his rehab start Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also hit a batter. Though the 69 pitches (42 strikes) that Sasaki threw marked a slight step back from the 75 pitches he tossed his last time out Aug. 26, he was more efficient, which enabled him to reach five innings for the first time in four rehab outings. The right-hander wasn't quite as sharp as the Dodgers had likely hoped, however; two of the three hits he gave up left the yard, and he now owns an unremarkable 8:8 K:BB over 14 innings on the farm. The Dodgers are letting Sasaki get stretched out as a starter, but the big club wouldn't appear to have an opening for him in its six-man rotation. If Sasaki bypasses another rehab start and gets activated from the 60-day injured list, he could be deployed out of the bullpen.

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