Andrew Friedman Sends Message on Roki Sasaki's Starting Role Amid Struggles

"Sasaki had a poor rookie regular season, given the expectations he came with when he signed in January 2025, failing to hit his previous velocity highs and showing inconsistent speeds from outing to outing. His splitter was quite devastating, one of the best in baseball, but the entire arsenal was lacking, and it was quickly revealed that he had shoulder discomfort, which kept him out for months."

"Sasaki eventually came back in a bullpen role, which suited him much better on the whole, especially because of his limited arsenal. He was able to lean on his fastball-splitter combination and became the de facto closer. It was good enough for the Dodgers to patch their bullpen struggles and win another World Series."

"He has pitched only 6.2 spring ball innings, but he has a 13.50 ERA, 10 strikeouts, 9 walks, and 9 hits. His command has been totally shot at times, but the velocity has been consistent and a tick higher than 2025."

Roki Sasaki, who signed with the Dodgers in January 2025, struggled significantly in his rookie season, failing to maintain velocity and showing inconsistent performance. After shoulder discomfort sidelined him, he transitioned to a bullpen role where he thrived as a closer, helping the Dodgers win the World Series. Entering 2026, questions persist about his ability to succeed as a starter. His spring training has been concerning, with a 13.50 ERA over 6.2 innings, though his velocity has improved slightly. Despite underperforming compared to other prospects, Dodgers management, including Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman, remain committed to keeping Sasaki in the rotation.

Read at Dodgers Nation