Roki Sasaki Struggles vs Rockies; What Should Dodgers Do With Him?

The Los Angeles Dodgers will have to make a decision on the struggling 24-year-old pitcher sooner or later.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:38pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the dynamic motion of a baseball pitcher, with sharp geometric shapes and planes representing the pitcher's delivery. The player's face and uniform are obscured, focusing the viewer's attention on the raw athleticism and energy of the pitching action.Sasaki's struggles on the mound expose the complexities of developing young pitching talent in the major leagues.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki struggled again on Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, allowing seven hits and three earned runs in 4.2 innings. Sasaki's season ERA now sits at 6.11 across four starts, and the Dodgers have challenged him to go deeper into games. With Blake Snell expected back in the rotation next month, the Dodgers will soon have a decision to make on Sasaki's role.

Why it matters

Sasaki was acquired by the Dodgers with high expectations, but his early-season struggles have raised questions about his readiness for the major leagues. The Dodgers have been adamant about keeping him in the starting rotation, but his performance may force them to consider a move to the bullpen or even a demotion to the minors.

The details

Sasaki got off to a strong start on Sunday, breezing through the first three innings on just 26 pitches. However, he struggled the second time through the order, allowing a single, hitting a batter, and giving up an RBI single and a walk to load the bases in the fourth inning. In the fifth, Sasaki gave up a leadoff home run, a double, and an RBI single before being pulled with two outs. Overall, he allowed seven hits, three earned runs, two walks, and two strikeouts in 4.2 innings, throwing 78 pitches.

  • Sasaki's outing on Sunday, April 19, 2026, against the Colorado Rockies.
  • Dodgers manager Dave Roberts challenged Sasaki in early April to go deeper into his outings, saying 'that's the next progression for him, to be consistently able to do that.'

The players

Roki Sasaki

A 24-year-old right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who has struggled in his first four starts of the 2026 season, with a 6.11 ERA.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has challenged Sasaki to go deeper into his outings this season.

Blake Snell

A starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is expected to return to the rotation next month, potentially impacting Sasaki's role.

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What they’re saying

“When you're a starter, part of the deal is you've got to log innings. It's part of the hallmark of starters, and Emmet [Sheehan] and Roki have got to graduate to that point.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“That's something that I talked to him about, and challenging him to, when you take the baseball, we're trying to go five innings or more. So I think that's the next progression for him, to be consistently able to do that.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

With Blake Snell expected to return to the Dodgers' rotation next month, the team will have to make a decision on Roki Sasaki's role. If Sasaki continues to struggle, the Dodgers may consider moving him to the bullpen or even sending him down to the minors to work on his issues.

The takeaway

Roki Sasaki's early-season struggles have put the Dodgers in a difficult position, as they must balance their long-term faith in the young pitcher with the need to field a competitive rotation. The team's handling of Sasaki's development will be closely watched, as they navigate the delicate balance between patience and pragmatism.