With the Tokyo Series less than one month away, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are the expected starters against the Chicago Cubs.
Yamamoto is essentially locked in for Opening Day, while Sasaki should take the ball in the second game at the Tokyo Dome. If he struggles in spring, the 23-year-old could be shifted to an exhibition game, but those seemingly belong to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow.
The upcoming Tokyo Series represents the sixth time MLB will open its season in Japan and first since 2019. It additionally marks the 25th anniversary of the first-ever regular season games played in Japan between the Cubs and the New York Mets.
Sasaki, who pitched four years in his native country before making the jump to MLB, is hoping to have a memorable moment during the Tokyo Series, via Sonja Chen of MLB.com:
“Obviously, the opportunity to open a Major League season in Japan itself is rare,” Sasaki said. “Being able to do that as a rookie is even more special. So right now, I’m just focused on preparing for that.”
Sasaki is considered one of the greatest pitchers to come out of Japan and getting a chance to make his MLB debut in the country would be nothing short of special.
Sasaki inked a Minor League contract with the Dodgers during the 2025 international signing period that included a signing bonus of $6.5 million. He reportedly turned down more lucrative offers from the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays to join L.A.
Sasaki finished his career in Japan with a 30-15 record, 2.02 ERA and 0.88 WHIP across four seasons for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).
Expectations couldn’t be higher for Sasaki in his first season with the Dodgers as several MLB executives predicted that he will win National League Rookie of the Year honors.
Roki Sasaki presents Miguel Rojas with gifts for No. 11 jersey
When Sasaki signed with the Dodgers, it was accompanied by the news that Miguel Rojas would be changing jersey numbers for the 2025 season.
Rojas, who wore the No. 11 in each of the last three seasons, has gone back to No. 72 for the first time since his rookie campaign. Sasaki takes over the No. 11 with the Dodgers, which is what his idol Yu Darvish has worn for the majority of his MLB career.
Sasaki gave several gifts to Rojas for switching his number, including three bottles of Japanese sake and a traditional set of serving glasses in Dodger Blue.
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