Roki Sasaki dominates White Sox prospects in a side-field game, Dodgers coaching staff pleasantly surprised.

Throughout Roki Sasaki's fluctuating spring training, the Los Angeles Dodgers have maintained a steady mindset regarding the young right-handed pitcher. From the early stages of spring training, manager Dave Roberts clearly stated that he expects Sasaki to be part of the Opening Day starting rotation, provided he delivers the necessary performance. This stance remained unchanged even after Sasaki's shaky debut in a Cactus League spring training exhibition game and a poor start but strong finish in his second outing.

The Dodgers are still exploring Sasaki's true capabilities. The pitcher, who shone in Japanese professional baseball with a perfect game, struggled as a starter in his first MLB season last year. With Blake Snell and Gavin Stone unable to join the Opening Day rotation due to shoulder injuries, the team reiterated their expectation that Sasaki will start in the majors from the beginning of the season.

“I don’t see any scenario where he doesn’t start with us on Opening Day,” Roberts said. “We need those innings.”

Today, while the Dodgers won their spring training exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1, Sasaki pitched a “B game” start on a side field against a Chicago White Sox minor league lineup. Facing nine batters who mostly played at Double-A last season, Sasaki executed flawlessly: four scoreless innings, using 59 pitches (40 strikes) to generate 17 swings and misses. After allowing a hit to the first batter, he struck out seven consecutive batters, totaling nine strikeouts among 13 batters faced, with his forkball nearly untouchable. Roberts, though not witnessing it firsthand, received enthusiastic feedback from coaches and management present.

“They said it was electric, velocity 98 to 100 mph,” Roberts said. “The fastball started a bit off but then settled. The forkball landed precisely, with a short break, creating lots of swings and misses. You couldn’t ask for a better outcome.”

Sasaki said via translator: “My pitching feel was actually poor over the past few days. But today I made adjustments, and the pitches became very good. I feel this is exactly what I need now, so I can move forward.”

The Dodgers have been optimistic about Sasaki’s breakthrough this season, hoping he can continue the dominant performance he showed after transitioning to the bullpen in the playoffs last year. The coaching staff praised his bullpen sessions and live batting practice condition. Assistant pitching coach Connor McGuiness noted early in spring training that Sasaki worked hard on his pitching mechanics and appeared to return to “normal pitching form.”

Then the games began. Sasaki’s two appearances in Cactus League spring training exhibitions totaled 3.1 innings—too small a sample for long-term conclusions, but a short-term concern was that he replicated some issues from his Opening Day starts last year.

Spring training is a time for MLB players to recalibrate rhythm, whether hitting or pitching, where results in data often take secondary importance to feel. But for players like Sasaki who haven’t firmly established themselves in the majors, spring training outcomes do carry significance. Although the Dodgers’ rotation spot seems destined for him, as starting pitchers return from injury later in the season, he still needs to show progress to secure that spot.

Roberts expects Sasaki’s form to “continue trending upward” before spring training ends, and today’s game exemplified that. Sasaki has focused on his pitching mechanics, using appearances to synchronize his body movements, which helps maintain higher velocity and stable control—key factors in his success late last season and in the playoffs.

“I think the key is pitching mechanics,” Sasaki said. “If the mechanics are good, the control will be good too.”

With just over two weeks left until Opening Day, Sasaki should have a few more starts to refine technical aspects. The Dodgers also want to see him pitching with confidence. Even against minor league players, dominating them and generating swings and misses aids that.

“Getting outs and seeing swings and misses still holds value,” Roberts said. “Today we achieved the goal, extending his innings. Obviously, it also built some confidence for him, so let’s keep moving forward.”