Roki Sasaki ‘Biggest Disappointment’ Among MLB Starters

Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) walks back to the dugout as he is taken out from the game by manager Dave Roberts (left) during the fifth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

What Does Roki Sasaki Have to Do to Improve?

While Sasaki definitely has plenty to work on as he tries to establish himself in the Dodgers’ rotation, Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain believes Sasaki is one key improvement away from being as effective in MLB as he was in Japan.

“I think he’s fastball command away from being a really good big league starter,” McKain said. “…His fastball looks nothing like it did in the show than what it did when he was in the NPB. That is what’s holding it back.”

As Passan mentioned, Sasaki’s fastball has been extremely ineffective this season, generating just four strikeouts and a 17.3% whiff rate despite being his most used pitch. If the young right-hander can improve in locating it, he could return to his form from the end of 2025.

Are the Dodgers Going to Replace Sasaki in the Rotation?

Blake Snell has begun his rehab assignment in Single-A, meaning the Dodgers will have to shuffle around their pitchers soon. The likelihood the Dodgers move Sasaki back into relief, though, is low.

Manager Dave Roberts is adamant on keeping Sasaki as a starter, and has explicitly said he won’t be leaving the rotation when Snell comes back.

Do you agree with Passan’s take on Roki Sasaki?