Roki Sasaki pitched three scoreless innings in his spring training debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. This performance showcased his potential as a promising addition to the team.
During the outing, Sasaki allowed only two hits while striking out five batters and walking one. The right-handed pitcher displayed impressive control, throwing 46 pitches, with 26 going for strikes.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who started for the Dodgers, pitched four innings, giving up two runs before Sasaki took over. This dynamic duo of Japanese pitchers is already making an impact for the World Series champions.
In a tense moment during the fifth inning, the Reds had two runners on base with one out. Sasaki rose to the occasion, striking out both TJ Friedl and Matt McLain, leaving the runners stranded.
Later, with two outs and runners on second and third in the sixth, Sasaki managed to retire Noelvi Marte with a popup to first base, further solidifying his strong performance.
The Dodgers ultimately secured a 4-2 victory, with Sasaki’s contribution being a key highlight of the game.
At just 23 years old, Sasaki signed a minor league contract with Los Angeles in January, which included a notable $6.5 million signing bonus. His journey from the Pacific League’s Chiba Lotte Marines to the MLB has garnered attention as he was classified as an international amateur free agent.
Sasaki joins fellow Japanese players Yamamoto and National League MVP Shohei Ohtani on the Dodgers roster, creating a unique blend of talent and cultural representation.
Looking ahead, Sasaki may take the mound for the Dodgers in their second game of the regular season against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 19.
The Dodgers plan to approach Sasaki’s pitching schedule with caution due to his injury history over the past two seasons, which includes shoulder inflammation last year and an oblique injury in 2023.
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