Luis García and Roki Sasaki were added to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 40-man roster in order to be eligible for the Tokyo Series.
It was an expected procedural move for Sasaki, who is scheduled to make his MLB debut against the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, García was initially included on the Dodgers’ travel roster for Japan as a non-roster invitee. He seemingly benefitted from a rash of injuries to relievers.
Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove were both placed on the 60-day injured list in order to make room for Garcia and Sasaki on the Dodgers’ 40-man roster. Graterol is expected to return after the All-Star break and Grove will miss the entire 2025 season upon undergoing right shoulder surgery.
Dodgers Opening Day roster in Japan
Luis García
The Dodgers signed García to a Minor League contract in February. He spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels and Boston Red Sox.
García signed a one-year, $4.25 million contract with the Angels in December 2023 and was traded to the Red Sox last July in exchange for Matthew Lugo, Yeferson Vargas, Niko Kavadas and Ryan Zeferjahn.
The right-hander struggled with the Red Sox to the tune of an 8.22 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in 15 games. Included in his time with Boston was a stint on the 15-day injured list because of right elbow inflammation.
García did finish the regular season by allowing just one run over four innings pitched in four games upon returning from the elbow injury.
García allowed three runs in 5.1 innings over six Cactus League games. He did not pitch in either of the two Tokyo exhibition games.
Roki Sasaki
Because Sasaki was posted by his NPB team as an amateur free agent, he signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers. Of course, it was a foregone conclusion that the 23-year-old would be added onto the Dodgers roster.
Sasaki impressed in two Cactus League games (one start) after making his Spring Training debut in a hybrid B game on a backfield at Camelback Ranch.
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