GLENDALE, Ariz. — In a spring training matchup on Tuesday night, Roki Sasaki delivered an impressive performance for the Los Angeles Dodgers by pitching three scoreless innings against the Cincinnati Reds. Sasaki showcased his skills by allowing only two hits, striking out five batters, and issuing one walk. Out of his 46 pitches, 26 were strikes, demonstrating his effectiveness on the mound.
Starting the game for the World Series champions, Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched four innings, conceding two runs before Sasaki took the hill. When the Reds managed to get two runners on base with one out in the fifth inning, Sasaki kept his cool, striking out both TJ Friedl and Matt McLain, each caught looking.
In the sixth inning, with two outs and runners in scoring position, Sasaki ended the threat by getting Noelvi Marte to pop up to first base. The Dodgers ultimately secured a 4-2 win.
Sasaki, who is 23 years old, joined the Dodgers in January under a minor league deal that included a $6.5 million signing bonus. Entering under the international amateur free agent category per Major League Baseball regulations, he departed Japan’s Chiba Lotte Marines through the posting system. Fans and analysts suggest that waiting two more years might have enabled him to secure a contract worth at least nine figures in free agency.
The team’s roster includes two other Japanese talents: pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and National League MVP Shohei Ohtani. Sasaki’s next appearance might be in the team’s second regular-season game against the Chicago Cubs, scheduled to take place in Tokyo on March 19.
Given his history of injuries over the last two years, including shoulder inflammation last season and an oblique injury in 2023, the Dodgers plan to manage Sasaki cautiously. They aim to implement a six-man rotation at times throughout the season to give their starting pitchers adequate rest.
