Dodgers' Sasaki Overcomes Nerves in Season Debut

Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki battles through shaky start in loss to Cleveland

Mar. 31, 2026 at 8:14am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the geometric motion and energy of a baseball pitcher's delivery, with sharp planes of navy, green, and orange.Sasaki's debut start for the Dodgers showcases his raw talent and the challenges of transitioning to the major leagues.Los Angeles Today

Roki Sasaki, the Japanese right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made his season debut on Friday but struggled with nerves early on. Sasaki gave up one run over four innings in a 4-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, allowing four hits and striking out three batters.

Why it matters

Sasaki is a highly touted prospect for the Dodgers, and his performance in his first start of the season was closely watched by fans and the organization. How he handles the pressure and nerves of the major leagues will be crucial to his development and the Dodgers' success this year.

The details

Sasaki, who is in his second season with the Dodgers after signing with the team out of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan, was visibly nervous on the mound in the early innings. He gave up a run in the first inning but settled down to pitch scoreless ball over the next three frames, striking out three batters.

  • Sasaki made his season debut on Friday, March 31, 2026.

The players

Roki Sasaki

A Japanese right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is in his second MLB season after signing with the team from Nippon Professional Baseball.

Cleveland Guardians

The professional baseball team that faced the Dodgers in Sasaki's season debut.

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What they’re saying

“Roki had some nerves early on, but he settled in and gave us a solid outing. We're confident he'll continue to improve as the season goes on.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

Sasaki's next start is scheduled for April 5th against the San Diego Padres.

The takeaway

Sasaki's ability to overcome his early nerves and pitch effectively in his season debut is an encouraging sign for the Dodgers, who are counting on the young Japanese pitcher to be a key part of their rotation this year.