Dodgers Pitching Puzzle: Sasaki, Treinen, and Yamamoto Struggle in Spring Training

Three Dodgers pitchers face different challenges as the team navigates a transitional season.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:56am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting the windup and delivery of a Dodgers pitcher, broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in vibrant shades of blue, white, and red, conceptually representing the team's pitching challenges.The Dodgers' pitching staff faces a complex puzzle of potential and uncertainty as the team navigates a transitional season.Los Angeles Today

The Los Angeles Dodgers' pitching staff has faced a mix of promise and uncertainty during spring training, with young phenom Roki Sasaki, veteran reliever Blake Treinen, and rookie starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto all struggling to varying degrees. While Sasaki shows flashes of electric stuff, he's still learning to harness his potential, Treinen has lost confidence, and Yamamoto faces the pressure of starting the home opener. These storylines reflect the Dodgers' broader identity crisis as they transition from a perennial powerhouse to a team relying more on unproven talent and veterans in decline.

Why it matters

The Dodgers' pitching woes in spring training highlight the team's broader challenges as they navigate a transitional season. With injuries and underperformance from key arms, the Dodgers' coaching staff will be tested in their ability to develop young talent and get veteran players back on track. The team's success or failure this year could redefine their identity for the next decade.

The details

Roki Sasaki, the highly touted Japanese pitching prospect, has struggled with a 13.50 ERA in spring training, but his ability to strike out 10 batters in 6 2/3 innings shows his electric stuff. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has pointed to Sasaki's command issues and inability to adjust mid-game as areas he needs to improve. Meanwhile, veteran reliever Blake Treinen has a 10.80 ERA and has lost confidence, which is concerning given the Dodgers' need for a reliable late-inning arm with injuries to other pitchers. Rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been tasked with starting the Dodgers' home opener, putting immense pressure on the young pitcher as he makes the leap to the big leagues.

  • Roki Sasaki has struck out 10 batters in 6 2/3 innings of spring training.
  • Blake Treinen has a 10.80 ERA in spring training.

The players

Roki Sasaki

A highly touted Japanese pitching prospect for the Dodgers who has struggled with command issues and an inability to adjust mid-game during spring training, but has shown flashes of electric stuff.

Blake Treinen

A veteran reliever for the Dodgers who has lost confidence and is struggling with a 10.80 ERA in spring training, which is concerning given the team's need for a reliable late-inning arm.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A rookie pitcher for the Dodgers who has been tasked with starting the team's home opener, putting immense pressure on the young pitcher as he makes the leap to the big leagues.

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What’s next

The Dodgers will need to closely monitor the progress of Sasaki, Treinen, and Yamamoto as they continue to prepare for the regular season. The team's coaching staff will be tested in their ability to develop young talent and get veteran players back on track.

The takeaway

The Dodgers' pitching struggles in spring training reflect the team's broader identity crisis as they transition from a perennial powerhouse to a squad relying more on unproven talent and veterans in decline. How these three pitchers fare will largely define the Dodgers' season and potentially reshape the franchise's future.