Dodgers' Roki Sasaki problem hasn't gone away

Dodgers' Roki Sasaki problem hasn't gone away originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Roki Sasaki was supposed to be better than this.

The Los Angeles Dodgers won't be giving up on the Japanese right-handed pitcher anytime soon, but an offseason doesn't seem to have solved all his issues.

Last season, Sasaki struggled in the early going, dealt with an injury, then eventually was brought back in the bullpen to simplify things.

Sasaki got the job done en route to the World Series title, but the Dodgers would like the guy they signed for nine figures to be a starter to indeed hold that role.

With Opening Day this week, though, Sasaki is struggling on the mound again.

On Monday night, his first inning was rough. He threw just 13 of 30 pitches for strikes. And it was worse than that.

He hit the first batter, walked the bases loaded, then walked in a run.

Then he walked another guy with the bases loaded, too.

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It's starting to become a major concern.

And after another bases-loaded walk, Dave Roberts is out to get Roki Sasaki –– after just 13 strikes in 30 pitches

He'll likely re-enter for the second, but it's yet another inning this spring he couldn't complete bc of bad command/high pitch count. Worrying to say the least https://t.co/SBH4rUrCWz— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 24, 2026

The Dodgers have a ton of talent and resources, so the team can still be a very good one even if Sasaki doesn't figure things out.

But they obviously planned on Sasaki being a big-time contributor for them. The longer this goes, the more doubt there is.

Something has to be solved, because these Sasaki struggles are getting hard to manage.

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