Roki Sasaki Shines in Spring Training Debut for Los Angeles Dodgers

Roki Sasaki Shines in Spring Training Debut for Los Angeles Dodgers

Roki Sasaki, the highly anticipated Japanese pitching prospect, made a strong impression in his spring training debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday night. The 23-year-old right-hander tossed three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds, allowing just two hits while striking out five and walking one.

Sasaki, who signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in January, showcased his impressive repertoire of pitches, including a fastball that reached 97 mph. He efficiently worked through the Reds lineup, throwing 46 pitches with 26 for strikes.

Following a strong start by World Series champion Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Sasaki entered the game in the fifth inning with two runners on base and one out. He calmly navigated the situation, striking out both TJ Friedl and Matt McLain to escape the jam.

Sasaki continued to impress in the sixth inning, retiring Noelvi Marte on a popup to first with two outs and runners on second and third. His performance helped the Dodgers secure a 4-2 victory over the Reds.

Despite his impressive debut, the Dodgers are expected to take a cautious approach with Sasaki this season. The young pitcher has been hampered by injuries over the past two years, including shoulder inflammation last year and an oblique injury in 2023.

The team plans to utilize a six-man rotation at times this season to ensure adequate rest for its starting pitchers, providing Sasaki with ample opportunity to develop and adjust to the Major League level.

With his talent and potential, Sasaki could play a significant role for the Dodgers this season, potentially even making his regular season debut in the team's second game against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 19th.