Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Adds Pitches to Mix, Seeks to Solidify Rotation Spot

The Japanese pitcher is working to incorporate a slider or cutter into his arsenal to complement his 100-mph fastball and forkball.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Roki Sasaki, the Dodgers' ninth-inning sensation from their most recent World Series run, is working to solidify a spot in the team's starting rotation this spring. The 24-year-old Japanese pitcher is experimenting with adding a slider or cutter to his repertoire, which has been dominated by his 100-mph fastball and Wiffle-ball-like forkball. Sasaki said he junked the slower slider he threw last season, which contributed to shoulder problems that sidelined him for four months. He is now testing a faster version of the pitch with a spiral spin, and plans to also mix in a two-seamer.

Why it matters

Finding success as a major league starter will be difficult for Sasaki with just two effective pitches, so the addition of a third offering is crucial to his development. The Dodgers are hopeful that if Sasaki can execute his fastball and forkball effectively, the new pitches will make things more challenging for opposing hitters.

The details

Sasaki said he still doesn't have a clear vision for a pitch that will move away from right-handed hitters, whether it will be a slider or a cutter or something in between. He showed good velocity during a live batting practice session, with his fastball touching 98.6 mph. Sasaki said he started working on the new pitches last year, and his goal is to continue pitching so he can identify and remedy any challenges he faces at the major league level.

  • Sasaki was placed on the injured list last year after making eight starts with a 4.72 ERA.
  • Sasaki returned in the final week of the 2025 regular season as a reliever and enjoyed success as a closer in the playoffs.

The players

Roki Sasaki

A 24-year-old Japanese pitcher who is working to solidify a spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation this spring.

Hyeseong Kim

A Korean infielder who swung and missed at Sasaki's new slider during a live batting practice session.

Brandon Gomes

The Dodgers' general manager, who said that if Sasaki can execute his fastball and split-finger fastball effectively, anything else he adds to his pitch mix will just make things more challenging for opposing hitters.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Good”

— Hyeseong Kim

“If he's executing the fastball and split the way he's capable of, with what he's done in the past, it's an amazing foundation. Anything on top of that is just going to make things more challenging for opposing hitters.”

— Brandon Gomes, Dodgers General Manager

“As much as possible, I don't want it to affect my current pitching motion.”

— Roki Sasaki

“Rather than finish at the end of the spring (when I was placed on the injured list), it was obviously better to finish in a good way in the postseason. It's now easier to imagine something good. I was able to see something good, so in that sense, I think I'm able to pitch a little more relaxed.”

— Roki Sasaki

“That was my first time participating in a baseball clinic. It's an experience you don't usually have. I received different kinds of strength from the children.”

— Roki Sasaki

What’s next

Sasaki will continue to work on incorporating his new pitches, such as the slider or cutter, into his repertoire during spring training as he aims to solidify a spot in the Dodgers' starting rotation.

The takeaway

Sasaki's quest to add a third effective pitch to complement his overpowering fastball and forkball is a crucial step in his development as he looks to transition from a dominant reliever to a reliable starting pitcher in the major leagues.