Roki Sasaki bounces back with solid first start of 2026 season

Dodgers right-hander puts shaky spring training behind him with four-plus innings of one-run ball against Guardians

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:49am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting Roki Sasaki's pitching motion from multiple angles, with sharp planes of blue, red, and gray conveying the dynamism and intensity of his performance.A cubist interpretation of Roki Sasaki's season debut, capturing the pitcher's dynamic motion and the competitive tension between the Dodgers and Guardians.Los Angeles Today

Roki Sasaki, the 24-year-old Dodgers right-hander, had a forgettable spring training, but he bounced back with a solid outing in his season debut against the Guardians on Monday night. Sasaki struck out four, walked two, and gave up one run on four hits over four-plus innings, showing improved command of his fastball, cutter, and splitter compared to his spring performances.

Why it matters

Sasaki's ability to rebound from his spring struggles and deliver a quality start is an encouraging sign for the Dodgers, who are counting on him to be a key part of their pitching rotation this season. After a shaky start to 2025, Sasaki emerged as a reliable leverage reliever in the postseason, and the Dodgers are hoping he can carry that success into 2026 as a starter.

The details

Sasaki held his velocity throughout the outing, topping out at 99.5 mph and averaging 97.6 mph with his four-seam fastball. While he didn't generate many swings and misses with the fastball, his cutter and splitter were effective, combining for seven swings and misses. The most encouraging part of Sasaki's start was his ability to limit damage, as he worked out of a jam in the third inning after giving up a run and a walk.

  • Sasaki made his season debut on Monday, March 31, 2026 against the Guardians at Dodger Stadium.

The players

Roki Sasaki

A 24-year-old right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Austin Hedges

A catcher for the Cleveland Guardians who doubled against Sasaki in the third inning.

Steven Kwan

An outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians who drove in Hedges with a double in the third inning.

Chase DeLauter

An outfielder for the Cleveland Guardians who walked against Sasaki in the third inning.

José Ramírez

An infielder for the Cleveland Guardians who struck out against Sasaki in the third inning.

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What they’re saying

“The beginning of that third inning resembled the innings that had gotten away from Sasaki during spring, but unlike in those outings, he was able to take care of business.”

— Sonja Chen, Author

What’s next

Sasaki will look to build on his strong season debut when he takes the mound for his next start against the Padres on April 6.

The takeaway

Sasaki's ability to bounce back from a forgettable spring training and deliver a quality start in his season debut is an encouraging sign for the Dodgers, who are counting on him to be a key part of their pitching rotation this year. His improved command and effectiveness of his secondary pitches, combined with his ability to limit damage, suggest he may be poised for a breakout season.