The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation has undergone significant changes over the past two years, with Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki the newest additions for the 2025 season.
Both pitchers are starting for the Dodgers in a game at the Tokyo Dome, but Snell’s outing is coming in an exhibition contest against the Hanshin Tigers.
“I’m really excited to learn new hitters,” Snell said of facing a Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) team. “I’ve never seen them and I know nothing about them. I’m excited about that. I’m excited to play in a dome. Just going out there and seeing turf, and how the field is laid out, it’s different.
“So I’m excited to see what that feels like as well.”
Not having familiarity with an opponent could prove challenging, but Snell instead views it as an opportunity to be exposed to a new set of circumstances.
“In the big leagues you learn patterns and you see what they’re doing to find success. Everyone tends to follow that. They’re unique, but they’re all chasing the same swing,” he said.
“I don’t know anything about the teams here, but I’m excited to see what their swings are like, if they’re more contact hitters or power hitters, if they’re different. I’m excited about the challenges of that.”
The Dodgers signed Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract that included a $52 million signing bonus and $66 million in deferred salary. He’s expected to be a workhorse, if not an ace, for the Dodgers rotation.
Although just Spring Training, Snell’s Dodgers career hasn’t necessarily been smooth sailing to the naked eye. However, the left-hander is pleased with his overall progression.
“I feel good. I’m excited. I feel like every start, every game I’ve been throwing, I felt better and better,” Snell said. “So I’m really excited for this next game and then to see where I’ll pitch after that.”
Blake Snell exploring Tokyo
Snell and the Dodgers have taken to being tourists in Tokyo over the past few days, and the city has made quite the impression on the 32-year-old.
“I would say walking around, it’s a very clean and very beautiful city. I was aware of that, but even going out — I’ve been going out every day — and seeing that has been pretty shocking how beautiful the city is,” Snell said.
Snell was among the Dodgers to visit Tsukiji Nippon Fish Port Market, where he sampled some of the city’s fare.
“Not a fan of eel,” Snell said. “But the wagyu was really good.”
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