Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors

Sep 05, 2025

Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors
LA Dodgers Roki Sasaki takes the mound in Game 2 of the opening series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome on March 19 and throws the ball vigorously. AP Yonhap News



Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors
Shohei Otani and Rocky Sasaki are talking while watching the Minnesota Twins game together on July 22 (Korea time). AP Yonhap News
Japanese pitcher Loki Sasaki, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers last winter by shaking up the major leagues, is expected to end the season in the minor leagues.

Local media Dodgers Nation reported on the 5th (Korea time) 'Sasaki Rocky's continued sluggishness made it difficult to return this year'

According to the media, head coach Dave Roberts said in an interview with local media on the 4th that `I am only surprised.' He certainly has outstanding talent, but he doesn't pitch or pitch. There is a need to raise the ball further. Against Triple-A hitters, he said, "I think we can expect more if we throw more."




Sasaki is playing a rehab game for the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets. However, he has pitched 14 innings in four games so far, giving up 17 hits and eight walks, including two homers, and striking out only eight. His ERA was 7.07, his WHIP was 1.79, and his batting average was 0.315. He is a stat that cannot be elevated to the Major League.

Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. AFP Yonhap News
Roberts said, `For him to come back, a high bar must be applied at the moment. Because we're competing in pennant races right now. "To guarantee our pitching to our staff, we have to give him something urgent and overwhelming performance. That's the level we want now. Personally, there is definitely expectation for Sasaki in that respect."

This means that it cannot be called up with the pitching content right now.




Roberts then said "We talked about it a few weeks ago, but we have to go with the best players. This is such a time. Sasaki has been going through a lot this year. They are talented, but we want to see more."

It is difficult to be included in the postseason roster as well as the rest of the season. At the end of the season, the Dodgers' starters are operating normally. Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Clayton Kershaw, Emmett Siheon and Ohtani are defending the rotation.

Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors
Loki Sasaki is training for defense at Dodger Stadium on August 10 (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News
Sasaki signed with the Dodgers on Jan. 24 for $6.5 million in the Sinning Bonus after carefully selecting the team through the posting system last winter. 'International amateur FA under the age of 25 must sign a minor league contractUnder the 'U.S.-Japan contract agreement, Sasaki received the maximum amount within the Dodgers' international amateur bonus pool.




Sasaki refused the NPB's original Chiba Lotte Marines' request to stay and knocked on the major league door at such an early age because he wanted to achieve his dream as a big leaguer as soon as possible like Shohei Ohtani.

However, expectations and publicity for Sasaki in the first season were a bubble.

Sasaki, who was included in the season's opening rotation, took the mound in Game 2 of the opening series against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome, Japan, and showed difficulty with one hit, five walks and one run in three innings, but when he moved to the U.S. and entered the race in earnest, he rarely found the ball control and control. In the end, after throwing eight games, he was diagnosed with right shoulder collision syndrome on May 11 and was on the injured list (IL).

He pitched 34 ⅓ innings in his debut season, allowing 29 hits and 22 walks, including six home runs, and posting a 4.72 ERA, WHIP 1.49, and a 0.225 hit rate. His maximum weapon, fastball speed, did not exceed 100 miles. I only threw two fastballs over 100 miles against the Cubs in March, and I've never shot 100 miles since I came back to the U.S. mainland. The top speed in the U.S. was only 98.3 miles. The splitter was dull, too. Above all, my control was terrible.

Shocking Sasaki cannot return to ML this year, Roberts is adamant to show performance in the minors
Roki Sasaki, who is pitching in a simulation at Dodger Stadium on the 9th of last month (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News
Minor league rehabilitation also did not go as planned. In June, when he was in the midst of playing catch, he stopped training due to a recurrence of shoulder pain. At the time, MLB.com put a brake on Sasaki's pace of rehabilitation. I can't guarantee my return this season,' he wrote.

Sasaki told local media at the time that `Last year, my shoulder hurt similarly. It was worse than now. It's a problem I can overcome and I can still throw well. It's true that it's a bit uncomfortable, but it's not as bad a situation as it was before,' he said, expressing confidence in his return.

Sasaki's debut season was expected to be in trouble. Sasaki has never filled the regular innings at the Chiba Lotte Marines. He suffered injuries every year, and last year, he pitched 111 innings in 18 games due to shoulder and abdominal muscle injuries. However, he garnered 2.35 ERA and 129 strikeouts, drawing attention from Dodgers and other major league clubs.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.