After a dominant career in Japan, Roki Sasaki made the jump to Major League Baseball by signing a Minor League contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the offseason.
Expectations could not be higher for the 23-year-old as several MLB executives predicted he will win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Multiple members of the Dodgers organization also believe Sasaki has the talent to be the best pitcher in the world.
As Sasaki prepares for his first MLB season, he announced on Instagram that he recently got married. “It’s a new start both in my personal and professional life (this year) and I’m full of hope and anxiety,” Sasaki wrote (translated into English).
“But we’ll work hard together as a couple so I hope you’ll continue to support us.”
News of Sasaki getting married caught several members of the Dodgers off guard. Sasaki posted the announcement shortly before players began a workout at Camelback Ranch.
Sasaki’s wedding announcement was similar to how Shohei Ohtani revealed last spring he had gotten married. Despite having close friendships with Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, neither was aware of the nuptials.
“They were surprised. At first, they didn’t believe me,” Sasaki said through an interpreter.
Manager Dave Roberts was also among those who couldn’t believe the news. “Roki? What? I didn’t know he had a girlfriend,” Roberts began.
“He got married, huh? Well, congratulations. The wedding gift will be on the way, after I meet his wife.”
Roki Sasaki nearing first Dodgers Spring Training start
Roberts said the plan is for Sasaki to make his Spring Training debut on Tuesday or Wednesday. If it’s Tuesday, that will likely amount to Sasaki pitching in a Minor League game due to Blake Snell being scheduled for his Dodgers debut that afternoon.
If the Dodgers decide to have Sasaki make his first start in a Cactus League game on Wednesday, it would come on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers.
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