The Los Angeles Dodgers went into Spring Training with a surplus of options to choose from as their probable starters for the Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs.
It didn’t manager Dave Roberts long to suggest Yoshinobu Yamamoto was effectively locked into starting for the Dodgers on Opening Day at the Tokyo Dome. Roberts also indicated Roki Sasaki was the favorite to start against the Cubs in the second game on March 19.
However, Roberts recently said there remained a possibility the Dodgers would adjust their pitching plan for Japan and not have their prized rookie take the mound after all.
With their Cactus League schedule now complete, Roberts announced Sasaki indeed is going to start a Tokyo Series game, per David Vassegh of AM 570 L.A. Sports Radio:
Dave Roberts makes it official: Roki Sasaki will start game 2 of the season in Tokyo, Japan. #TokyoSeries #Dodgers #Cubs
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) March 11, 2025
Sasaki pitched in three games during Spring Training, with two of them coming in the form of a start. Sasaki’s Spring Training debut came against Minor Leaguers from the Chicago White Sox organization, but in a hybrid ‘B’ game on a backfield at Camelback Ranch so the Dodgers could control the environment.
That drew headlines for the leadoff home run Sasaki gave up to White Sox prospect Kyle Teel, but the Dodgers were otherwise pleased with his three innings of work.
Sasaki followed that by pitching out of the bullpen for his Cactus League debut against the Cincinnati Reds. The right-hander entered after Yoshinobu Yamamoto and pitched three scoreless innings while collecting five strikeouts.
Sasaki’s first Cactus League start then came on Tuesday, and he again fared well. The 23-year-old stretched out to four innings and held the Cleveland Guardians to just one hit.
Now Sasaki gets to make his MLB debut back in his native country. It’s an opportunity he was hopeful to earn.
Dodgers and Cubs pitchers for Tokyo Series
Opening Day: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shota Imanaga
Series finale: Roki Sasaki, Justin Steele
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