Roki Sasaki has endured some early struggles in his return to the Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation this season, but manager Dave Roberts continues to be encouraged by the right-hander’s progress.
Despite not having his best stuff in his most recent start against the Washington Nationals, Roberts was pleased that Sasaki still managed to get through five innings and take some burden off the bullpen.
The Dodgers skipper believes the relationship between Sasaki and the team has improved, citing built trust between the two.
“We’re in a much better spot,” Roberts said on SportsNet LA. “I think the trust between both sides has continued to get stronger. And that’s understandable. That takes time.
“So I think he and the pitching coaches are having a lot more dialogue. He’s expressing his thoughts, which has been great. I think we’re seeing the benefits. The communication has been a lot better.”
When Sasaki signed with the Dodgers out of Japan prior to the 2025 season, he had to navigate some learning curves. Among them were adapting to a new baseball, league and culture.
Sasaki struggled as a starting pitcher before missing more than four months with a right shoulder injury. However, he was able to finish his rookie campaign on a strong note out of the bullpen, and Roberts believes that success has helped him become more comfortable around his Dodgers teammates and coaching staff.
“I think culturally, he was in a shell,” Roberts said of Sasaki’s first season with the Dodgers. “I think the Japanese culture, a lot of people are private, and I understand that.
“I do think being a young superstar coming over here, having success in Japan, you want to kind of lean on that success until you’re not having success. So I think him not having consistent success has opened him up to some conversations, which I think is beneficial.”
Roki Sasaki’s 2026 stats
Prior to his start against the Nationals, Sasaki held the Cleveland Guardians to one run over four-plus innings in his 2026 debut at Dodger Stadium. He owns an 0-1 record with a 7.00 ERA and 1.56 WHIP in nine innings across two starts.
Sasaki will likely next take the mound when the Dodgers return home for a three-game series with the Texas Rangers this weekend.
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