Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts broke down Japanese starting pitcher Roki Sasaki’s latest start after the righty had notable command issues.
In total, Sasaki pitched 3.1 innings, allowing two runs, four hits, and four free passes, with five strikeouts. His two runs came during a two-run homer.
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His fastball touched as high as 99.5 mph, but averaged around 98 mph, quite impressive given his struggles to maintain consistent velocity in his early-season starts.
However, while his final statistical line was fine, his actual performance — once again — left more questions than answers, as he failed to command his pitches and throw strikes.
Mar 3, 2026; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) leaves the game against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
Sasaki threw a total of 71 pitches, and only 38 of them were strikes. He walked three straight batters in the third inning after starting it out with a strikeout, leading Roberts to pull him from the game.
He came back in during the fourth inning, getting a strikeout to start out, then allowing a single and following it with a home run shot from the Royals’ Luca Tresh.
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After a strikeout and groundout, Sasaki got out of the inning, and Roberts gave him the chance to pitch in the 5th inning, when he gave up a leadoff double, which ended his night, this time for good.
Dave Roberts talks after the game
Following the game, Roberts spoke with reporters about Sasaki’s outing and came away impressed with his stuff but stressed the need for him to be efficient.
“You got to be able to take down innings and be able to make adjustments sooner, because I know that there’s some things that he was working through tonight, but when you’re in the middle of a game, you got to find a way to adjust quicker, and that’s something that’s probably part of the learning curve for him,” Roberts said, per The Sporting Tribune.
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“I’m not worried about the results. More of, I think for me, as I’m talking, I think more of just being able to make in-game adjustments sooner, because you’re not always going to have your best stuff.
“You’re not always going to have the perfect command, but you still got to find a way to get out, and so I think that that’s something that he’s got to learn to do.”
Sasaki and Roberts seemingly have different goals for his outing at the moment, with a mechanically focused approach from the pitcher, but the manager wants a more adjustment-focused, competitive approach that focuses on getting outs above all else.
For Sasaki fans, there is plenty to be hopeful about, but skeptics also end up getting some fuel for their doubts about the inconsistent Japanese prospect.