The Los Angeles Dodgers have a couple of open spots in their rotation due to injury, and Roki Sasaki is expected to be one of the pitchers filling the void.
However, his performance in Cactus League games has left many questions about his ability to move past his struggles as a starter last season.
The command of his fastball has remained his biggest weakness despite the work he’s put in to fix it. The mechanical adjustments he made in practice have not yet translated to his starts.
Nevertheless, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said that Sasaki’s spot in the rotation is pretty much set in stone, according to Jack Vita of the L.A. Times:
“Having Blake [Snell] late to the season, which we know, [and] Gavin Stone, late to the season, as we know, we’re going to need Roki,” Roberts said. “With the buildup, I just don’t see a world in which he doesn’t break with us as a starter, and so, we’re going to need those innings.”
While the numbers weren’t great in his last start before Tuesday’s ‘B’ game against the Chicago White Sox, it wasn’t all bad.
After allowing two walks and two hits, including a home run, in the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians, Sasaki bounced back in the second and third innings to throw 13 of his final 22 pitches for strikes.
The results with his fastball weren’t great overall, as Sasaki threw it for a strike less than 50% of the time. However, the right-hander was much improved after the first inning, landing five of his seven fastballs for strikes while utilizing his new cutter-slider more.
With Sasaki’s spot in the rotation firmly secured, that leaves River Ryan, Emmet Sheehan and Justin Wrobleski competing for the final two spots left available.
Roki Sasaki ‘electric’ in ‘B’ game against White Sox
Sasaki was able to build on his strong finish in a ‘B’ game against the White Sox on Tuesday, allowing only one hit while collecting nine strikeouts in four scoreless innings. Sasaki had much better command, throwing 40 of his 59 pitches for strikes.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was encouraged by Sasaki’s performance and noted that his fastball sat in the 98-100 mph range.
Make sure to follow Dodger Blue on Instagram! It’s the best way to see exclusive coverage from games and events, get your questions answered, and more!
