Roki Sasaki’s highly anticipated home debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers came to an abrupt end in the second inning on Saturday night, March 29, 2025, as the young right-hander struggled once again with his control against the Detroit Tigers. After issuing four walks and throwing 61 pitches to just 12 batters, manager Dave Roberts opted to pull him with two outs and two runners on base.
In this second major league start, Sasaki allowed two runs and three singles, consistently falling behind his batters. He managed to throw only 32 strikes, a stark contrast to the expectations set before the game. This outing marked his first appearance at Dodger Stadium, home of the defending World Series champions.
Last week, Sasaki made his major league debut in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs, where he also faced challenges, walking five batters in three innings while allowing just one hit and one run. Before the game on Saturday, Roberts had expressed optimism for a better performance from Sasaki, stating, “I think there’s going to be some nerves still. Understandably so... But I just think he’s going to go out there and give us a chance to win.”
Despite the rough outing, it’s too early for the Dodgers to hit the panic button regarding Sasaki. The 23-year-old has been touted as one of Japan’s most promising young pitchers in recent years, but he has yet to find his rhythm in Los Angeles. In his debut against the Cubs, he threw 25 strikes among his 56 pitches, a performance that left much to be desired.
Roberts noted that Sasaki’s issues might stem from a combination of nerves and a lack of feel for his split-finger pitch. “I don’t know if it was being in the Tokyo Dome with a new baseball. I’m just not sure,” he commented. However, not all was lost during the game against the Tigers. Sasaki managed to blow a 97-mph fastball past Riley Greene for one of his two strikeouts, showcasing the potential that led to his signing.
Detroit capitalized on Sasaki’s struggles, scoring both of their runs during his 41-pitch first inning. The only hard-hit ball he allowed was a leadoff single by Zach McKinstry. Manuel Margot received credit for an RBI single on a 30-foot squib, while Trey Sweeney drew a 10-pitch walk with the bases loaded, further complicating Sasaki’s situation.
Jack Dreyer came in to replace Sasaki and managed to get out of the second-inning jam by striking out Kerry Carpenter on just four pitches. In a turn of events, the Dodgers tied the game in the bottom half of the second inning thanks to Michael Conforto’s RBI double, effectively removing Sasaki from the decision.
Looking ahead, Sasaki will have the opportunity to work on his issues, as the Dodgers have a favorable schedule with plenty of days off in April. This allows for a generous rest schedule that could benefit the young pitcher as he adjusts to the demands of Major League Baseball.
Meanwhile, the Dodgers are also keeping an eye on Shohei Ohtani, who threw a bullpen session on the same day as Sasaki’s start. Ohtani is ramping up for a potential return to the mound in May, and his presence could significantly impact the rotation. When Ohtani returns, the Dodgers are likely to shift to a six-man rotation, allowing Sasaki some additional time to refine his skills.
As for Sasaki, the journey is just beginning. The Dodgers remain hopeful that with time and experience, he will find his footing and become the dominant pitcher they believe he can be. For now, the team is focused on supporting their young star as he navigates the challenges of major league baseball.
With the season still in its early stages, fans will be watching closely to see how Sasaki bounces back from this setback. The Dodgers have faith in his potential, and as he continues to adapt, there’s no telling what he might achieve in the weeks and months to come.
