Dodgers' Roki Sasaki Struggles in Spring Training but Rebounds in Regular Season Debut

The 24-year-old Japanese pitcher aims to regain his dominant form from his time in Nippon Professional Baseball.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 3:18pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's windup and delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of vibrant blue and red colors, capturing the complexity and unpredictability of Sasaki's transition to the major leagues.Sasaki's uneven spring training performance raises questions about his ability to consistently dominate major league hitters.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki had a difficult spring training, allowing 26 of the 52 batters he faced to reach base, 15 via walk. However, in his regular season debut against the Cleveland Guardians, Sasaki bounced back, allowing just one earned run on four hits with four strikeouts in four innings.

Why it matters

Sasaki is a highly touted prospect who set the world record for consecutive strikeouts in a game while playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league. The Dodgers are hoping he can regain that dominant form and become a key part of their starting rotation this season.

The details

After finishing last season in the Dodgers' bullpen, manager Dave Roberts placed Sasaki back in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 season. However, Sasaki struggled mightily in spring training, leading ESPN's Alden Gonzalez to describe his performance as a 'disaster.' Despite the poor spring, the Dodgers have made it clear they will continue to give Sasaki opportunities to start and develop.

  • Sasaki set the world record for consecutive strikeouts in a game while playing in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league.
  • Sasaki finished the 2025 season in the Dodgers' bullpen.
  • Sasaki made his regular season debut for the Dodgers on Monday, April 3, 2026.

The players

Roki Sasaki

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher from Japan who was one of the more hyped prospects to come out of Japan in Major League history.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers who has placed Sasaki back in the starting rotation to begin the 2026 season.

Alden Gonzalez

An ESPN reporter who wrote about Sasaki's struggles in spring training.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Roki Sasaki was a disaster in spring training, allowing 26 of the 52 batters he faced to reach base, 15 of which did so via walk.”

— Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Reporter

“The Dodgers have made it clear that they're going to give Sasaki every opportunity to start for them, but he needs to continue to make progress.”

— Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Reporter

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to monitor Sasaki's progress and development as he looks to solidify a spot in their starting rotation.

The takeaway

Roki Sasaki's struggles in spring training are a concerning start, but the Dodgers remain committed to giving the highly touted prospect every opportunity to prove himself at the Major League level. If Sasaki can regain the dominant form he displayed in Japan, he could become a key part of the Dodgers' rotation this season.