Sasaki allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven over 5.1 innings in a no-decision versus the Phillies on Saturday.
Sasaki's lone mistake was a solo shot by Alec Bohm in the second inning. In May, Sasaki made five starts, allowing a total of 11 runs (10 earned) across 28.1 innings, an improvement on his shakier 7.23 ERA in April. The right-hander is at a 4.59 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 50:19 K:BB through 51 innings over 10 outings this year and is projected to make his next start at home against the Angels.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Overcomes early struggles in win
Rotowire
Sasaki (3-3) earned the win against the Brewers on Saturday, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts over five innings.
Sasaki allowed three runs in the first inning but rebounded with four scoreless frames, throwing 56 of 87 pitches for strikes while generating nine whiffs. It continued an encouraging month of May for the 24-year-old, who has now yielded three earned runs or fewer in each of his four outings this month, lowering his season ERA from 6.35 to 4.93 during that stretch. He'll carry a 1.42 WHIP and 43:18 K:BB, along with the aforementioned ERA, across 45.2 innings this season into a home matchup against the Phillies next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Stellar in second win
Rotowire
Sasaki (2-3) earned the win Sunday, allowing one run on four hits and no walks over seven innings against the Angels. He struck out eight.
Sasaki turned in his best outing of the season, punching out a season-high eight batters while not issuing a walk in a start for the first time in his MLB career. Sunday could mark a key turning point for the talented right-hander, as he looked confident and in control with his revamped four-pitch mix. The 24-year-old will carry a 5.09 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 39:16 K:BB across 40.2 innings into his next outing, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday against the Brewers.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Strikes out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Sasaki did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing three runs on six hits, a walk and a hit-by-pitch over five innings against the Giants. He struck out five.
After allowing a solo homer to Rafael Devers in the second inning, Sasaki settled in during the middle frames before being chased in the sixth, allowing two runs without recording an out in the frame. The right-hander's sophomore season hasn't gone according to plan thus far, as the 24-year-old has allowed three or more runs in five of his starts and completed six innings just once. He'll carry a 1-3 record with a 5.88 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 31:16 K:BB into his next start, tentatively scheduled for Sunday against the Angels.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Not in line to start this weekend
Rotowire
Sasaki is no longer lined up to make a start during this weekend's series versus Atlanta and is now on track to make his next turn through the rotation Monday versus the Giants at Dodger Stadium, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Blake Snell's (shoulder) impending return from the 15-day injured list had been expected to put Sasaki at risk of being bumped from the Dodgers' six-man rotation, but the latter will end up keeping his spot at least temporarily after Los Angeles placed Tyler Glasnow (back) on the IL on Friday. However, with Snell set to be activated Saturday for his 2026 team debut and with Justin Wrobleski in line to start Sunday, Sasaki will end up being pushed back in the pitching schedule to Monday, when he'll be taking the hill on eight days' rest. Sasaki took a step forward in covering a season-high six innings in his last start May 2 against the Cardinals but has still been the clear weak link in the Los Angeles rotation with a 5.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP over 28.2 frames on the campaign.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: First quality start in loss
Rotowire
Sasaki (1-3) took the loss Saturday against the Cardinals, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks in six innings. He struck out four.
It was a bit of a tough-luck loss for Sasaki, who gave the Dodgers one of his best showings of the season so far. The right-hander worked a season-high six innings, tossed a season-most 104 pitches and logged his first quality start of 2026. Sasaki still has a rocky 5.97 ERA, 1.67 WHIP and 26:15 K:BB over 28.2 frames, so he'll remain hard to trust in fantasy lineups during his next scheduled appearances versus Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Picks up first victory of season
Rotowire
Sasaki (1-2) allowed four runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out five batters over five-plus innings to earn the win over the Cubs on Saturday.
The outing was very much a mixed bag for Sasaki -- he impressed by throwing 20 of 23 first pitches for strikes and racking up 15 whiffs, but he also surrendered three home runs. A six-run explosion by Los Angeles in the fourth inning provided more than enough run support for Sasaki to pick up the win, but he managed to complete only five frames and was lifted after allowing the first two batters he faced in the sixth to reach base. The Dodgers have remained patient with the Japanese righty through some early season struggles, and his 6.35 ERA is troubling. Still, Sasaki has shown small gains as the season has progressed -- of note, Saturday marked the first time this season that he's issued fewer than two walks in an outing -- and he seems to have a rotation spot locked down, at least until Blake Snell (shoulder) returns from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Struggles with control in loss
Rotowire
Sasaki (0-2) took the loss Sunday, allowing two runs on five hits and five walks over four innings against the Rangers. He struck out six.
It was a mixed bag for Sasaki in Sunday's start, as he generated 15 whiffs but struggled mightily with control. After a disappointing first MLB campaign last season in which he posted a 4.46 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and a 28:22 K:BB across 36.1 regular-season innings, the right-hander is off to a slow start in 2026, owning a 6.23 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and a 15:10 K:BB through 13 innings. Sasaki is projected to make his next start on the road Sunday against the Rockies.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Posts promising start despite loss
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Still in rotation despite struggles
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Shaky again in second spring start
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Struggles in spring debut
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Locks in third save
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Roughed up in NLCS Game 1
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Secures second save of NLDS
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Nails down save in Game 1 win
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Earns spot on wild-card roster
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Pops triple digits on radar gun
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Shines in first career relief outing
Rotowire
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.
... See More... See Less
Dodgers' Roki Sasaki: Returning Wednesday
Rotowire
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.
