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51 articles
LAD • Pitcher • #11
4 days ago
Sasaki gets his first win of the season, but it has more to do with his offense (12 runs) than effective pitching. There were some good moments for the 24-year-old with five strikeouts and 15 swings-and-misses induced, but he struggled to keep the ball in the park with three homers allowed, and his command still just doesn’t look good enough. He’ll take an ugly 6.35 ERA into a scheduled start versus the Dodgers over the weekend.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
10 days ago
Sasaki was able to blank the Rockies over three innings despite dealing with some traffic, but things fell apart in the fourth and fifth. The right-hander ended up allowing seven hits while issuing two more walks and striking out two. There are a smorgasbord of potential replacements for Sasaki in the Dodgers’ rotation. How much more patience will they show? There’s so much long-term potential for Sasaki, but he can’t be trusted right now. He’s scheduled to face the Cubs over the weekend.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
17 days ago
Sasaki had quality stuff in Sunday’s loss, which isn’t a surprise. He was able to procure 15 swings and misses among his 94 pitches, and his slider was particularly effective; generating five whiffs on 11 swings. The issue was once again control, as he walked five hitters and threw just 51 of those 94 pitches for strikes. There’s no denying that Sasaki has the swing-and-miss stuff to be one of the best fantasy starters in baseball, but until he figures out how to locate it, there are going to be more outings like this that frustrate more than satisfy. He’s scheduled to face the Rockies in Colorado next Sunday.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
24 days ago
Sasaki didn’t look terrible, though his velocity was down one mph from last week. He threw first-pitch strikes to 16 of 23 batters and wound up with 14 whiffs and five strikeouts. All of the runs came in the third and fourth, with five scoring on homers from Luis García Jr. and James Wood. Two of the three guys he walked on the afternoon came around to score during that stretch. He’ll probably stay in the rotation for now and face the Rangers next weekend. If he’s not better then, it would probably be time to reevaluate his status.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
30 days ago
Maybe not quite the best-case scenario but definitely better than most expected. Just 41 percent of Sasaki’s pitches tonight were in the zone, but the Guardians chased after enough of the ones that weren’t to make it a solid showing. He wound up allowing four hits, walking two and striking out four. Sasaki still doesn’t come recommended in fantasy leagues, but this will keep him in the rotation for now. He’ll likely face the Nationals next on Sunday.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 1 month ago
Sasaki’s first inning opened with a HBP, a botched grounder and then three straight walks before he was pulled with none out. After returning for the second, he again plunked leadoff man Zach Neto before another walk, a groundout and a double play. The third featured a leadoff walk but then straight outs afterwards, ending Sasaki’s night at 66 pitches. In four starts this spring, he’s posted a 15.58 ERA and a 12/15 K/BB in 8 2/3 innings. His stuff is better than it was last year, and he’s never had this level of control issues before. Most likely, he’ll get that turned around, and while we wouldn’t expect him to emerge as a quality fantasy SP anytime soon, he shouldn’t remain the sort of liability he’s looked like this spring.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 1 month ago
Sasaki’s latest shaky outing Tuesday lowered his spring ERA to 13.50, but the Dodgers aren’t wavering just yet. Sasaki has shown some extra velocity, and he’s managed to strike out 26% of the batters he faced while also unfortunately walking 24%. The control doesn’t figure to remain that bad, but there’s not going to be any reason to trust him in mixed leagues early on.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 1 month ago
Sasaki pitched scoreless first and second innings before walking three in a row with one out in the third. He was pulled at that point, and Nick Robertson went on to strand the bases loaded. Sasaki came back out in the fourth and gave up a two-run homer to Luca Tresh before finishing the inning. He again returned in the fifth, but he was pulled after Starling Marte’s leadoff double. In all, Sasaki struck out five and walked four. His fastball averaged 97.9 mph and topped out at 99.5. The improvement in his stuff from last year provides hope that he’ll be of use in mixed leagues eventually. We wouldn’t want to count on him initially, though.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 2 months ago
Sasaki continued building up his pitch count and stamina out of the Cactus League spotlight after some mixed results in a handful of early-spring outings. The 24-year-old’s velocity has been there but his fastball command remains elusive. With both Blake Snell and Gavin Stone (shoulder) opening the season on the injured list, the Dodgers are probably going to need Sasaki in their early-season pitching mix even if starting the year at Triple-A might benefit his long-term development. It certainly feels like both Sasaki and dynamic pitching prospect River Ryan, who has looked phenomenal this spring, are going to make Los Angeles’ season-opening roster.
Source: Fabian Ardaya
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 2 months ago
The plan is for Sasaki to continue building up his pitch count and stamina out of the Cactus League spotlight after some mixed results in a handful of early-spring outings. The 24-year-old’s velocity has been there but his fastball command remains elusive. With both Blake Snell and Gavin Stone (shoulder) opening the season on the injured list, the Dodgers are going to need Sasaki in their early-season pitching mix. It certainly feels like both Sasaki and dynamic pitching prospect River Ryan, who has looked phenomenal this spring, are going to make Los Angeles’ season-opening roster.
Source: Jack Harris
LAD • Pitcher • #11
about 2 months ago
Sasaki endured a nightmare opening frame, failing to record an out while allowing the first five batters to reach — including a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo. He managed to settle down afterwards, retiring six consecutive batters over his final two innings of work. The 24-year-old sat in the upper-90s with his four-seam fastball but struggled to consistently locate it, which in turn diminished the effectiveness of his signature splitter. The command concerns aren’t theoretical anymore — they’re the flashing yellow light on the dashboard as the regular season approaches. From a fantasy perspective, that kind of volatility is hard to ignore. And yet, there’s been no signal from the Dodgers that a reset at Triple-A is on the table, which creates the familiar tension between talent and trust — the organization betting on upside while fantasy managers debate how much turbulence they’re willing to absorb.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
2 months ago
Sasaki got off to a rocky start, allowing four of the first five batters he faced to reach base safely, which led to three runs crossing the plate. He threw just 17 of 36 pitches for strikes. The positive here is that he averaged an impressive 96.8 mph, topping out at 98.6 mph, on his four-seam fastball and recorded three strikeouts. He also showed off his new cutter and sinker. Sasaki’s key to sustained success will be fastball command and whether he can generate whiffs consistently on his signature splitter. He’s tentatively penciled into the Dodgers’ season-opening rotation but fantasy managers should take a wait-and-see approach before anticipating a breakthrough campaign.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
6 months ago
Sasaki gave up a single to William Contreras before getting a line-out to right, a fielder’s choice to second base on a grounder, and a routine flyout to right to end the game and put the Dodgers in the World Series. The 23-year-old should be the stopper for Los Angeles in the Fall Classic as well, be it against Toronto or Seattle beginning next Friday.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
6 months ago
Sasaki got the call from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to protect a two-run lead in the top of the ninth inning after high-leverage arms Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia pitched earlier in the contest. The 23-year-old rookie’s velocity appeared to be back to its usual levels as he was sitting in the upper 90’s with his fastball and needed just 13 pitches to slam the door. He got Andrew Vaughn to ground out and Sal Frelick to pop up before striking out Caleb Durbin to end it. It was a much-needed rebound effort for Sasaki on the heels of a rocky performance his last time out earlier in the series.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki dealt with some diminished velocity during Monday’s series-opening win in Milwaukee, which was ultimately finished off by veteran Blake Treinen, who was summoned to record the final out of the ninth inning of a one-run ballgame. All eyes will be on the 23-year-old phenom’s velocity when he gets back in a high-leverage spot for Los Angeles. He was an unexpected revelation for the Dodgers in his first couple playoff outings prior to Monday’s unexpected speed bump. It’ll likely be Treinen or lefty Alex Vesia handling a potential save situation in Game 2.
Source: Matthew Moreno
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki got the call to protect a two-run lead in the final frame and immediately got into trouble by issuing a one-out walk to Isaac Collins before surrendering a ground-rule double to Jake Bauers. A sacrifice fly from ensuing batter Jackson Chourio cut the lead in half before a walk to Christian Yelich put the potential winning run on-base. It was the first rough patch for the 23-year-old prodigy since returning to the big leagues back in late September as a full-time reliever. He dealt with some diminished velocity in this one and struggled to locate his fastball and signature splitter. It’ll be interesting to see if he can bounce-back as the best-of-seven series progresses.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki delivered an other-worldly performance in the late stages of a tie ballgame at Dodger Stadium as he consistently pounded the strike zone, needing just 36 pitches (26 strikes) to record nine outs. The 23-year-old rookie phenom has put together an outstanding postseason, recording a pair of saves while reeling off 4 1/3 scoreless frames. He’ll be Los Angeles’ primary option in the closer role for the rest of the playoffs.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris reported that Roberts didn’t initially use Sasaki in Game 2 because they are still being mindful of his workload, given the injuries he dealt with this season. However, Sasaki has looked electric out of the bullpen with a triple-digit fastball and a deep pitch mix. It remains to be seen if this is how the Dodgers plan to use him in 2026 and beyond, but the Athletics used Mason Miller as a reliever initially because of arm injuries and then never moved him out of the bullpen, so anything is possible.
Source: Jack Harris
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki was summoned to attempt to slam the door on the Phillies in the ninth with Los Angeles clinging to a one-run lead after Blake Treinen and Alex Vesia were unable to get the job done. The hard-throwing 23-year-old phenom coaxed a game-ending ground out from Trea Turner to allow the Dodgers to narrowly escape and take a commanding 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series. He’s been a revelation since returning to the big leagues and appears to be firmly entrenched as the Dodgers’ primary closer for the rest of the postseason.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki allowed a one-out double to Max Kepler that brought the tying run to the dish, but bounced back to retire Nick Castellanos on a ground ball and Bryston Stott on a foul out to third to end the ballgame. He has become a real weapon for the Dodgers in the ninth inning, making an already deep and talented Dodgers’ bullpen look even more terrifying.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki got the ball in a four-run game and made quick work of the Reds, averaging 100.6 mph with his fastball and throwing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes. It definitely bodes well for him getting the ball in close games going forward; he might well finish October as the team’s closer.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki got the ball in a four-run game and made quick work of the Reds, averaging 100.6 mph with his fastball and throwing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes. It definitely bodes well for him getting the ball in close games going forward; he might well finish October as the team’s closer.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki looked sharp in a pair of scoreless relief appearances during the final week of the regular season and will have a role during Los Angeles’ postseason run. The 23-year-old phenom figures to pitch in low-leverage spots during the playoffs, but it wouldn’t be a total shock if he got some chances in critical spots, especially if he continues to excel in shorter bursts out of the bullpen.
Source: Sonja Chen
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki made his first appearance since early May after dealing with a shoulder ailment, and the hype he generated out of the bullpen was legit. He generated three swings and misses, and he landed 8-of-13 pitches for strikes. There’s been talk of Sasaki potentially closing games for the Dodgers, and nothing that he showed Wednesday suggests that’s a bad idea. We’ll have to see how he’s deployed for the remainder of 2025.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki is the ultimate Wild Card for the Dodgers’ impending postseason run as there is a path for him to emerge as a legitimate high-leverage weapon, if he finds immediate success in shorter bursts out of the bullpen. The 23-year-old phenom hasn’t pitched in the big leagues since early May due to a shoulder ailment. He’s going to be one of the most fascinating pitchers to watch over the final few games of the regular season to see how he transitions to a multi-inning relief role.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
It’s an all hands on deck situation for the Dodgers heading into the postseason as Sasaki will pitch in relief out of the bullpen during the final handful of regular-season contests and figures to be in contention for a postseason roster spot. The 23-year-old phenom has showcased increased velocity and looked sharp in his last couple rehab outings at the Triple-A level. He hasn’t pitched in the majors since early May due to a shoulder injury. The decision to utilize him in relief could help build up his confidence heading into next season.
Source: Sonja Chen
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki was 97-98 mph on his four-seam fastball and was able to get a strikeout on his splitter. He didn’t walk a batter and threw five of his eight pitches for strikes in what was a solid outing.
LAD • Pitcher • #11
7 months ago
Sasaki, on the IL since May with a shoulder impingement, topped out at 100.1 mph and got five whiffs on his 17 pitches. He’s slated to make one more appearance for Oklahoma on Sunday, after which the Dodgers could activate him to pitch out of the pen.
Source: Jack Harris
LAD • Pitcher • #11
8 months ago
The 23-year-old hurler was getting close to rejoining the Dodgers in some capacity, but he’ll make at least one additional rehab start at the Triple-A level before determining the next step for him. Sasaki has been sidelined since mid-May with a right shoulder impingement, but the Dodgers are still hopeful that he can play a role for them in the postseason.
Source: Bill Plunkett
LAD • Pitcher • #11
8 months ago
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has left the door open when speaking to reporters about Sasaki potentially being part of the club’s postseason pitching plans. The latest development comes on the heels of an extremely encouraging rehab outing where the 23-year-old phenom showcased a significant velocity uptick, averaging over 98 mph on his fastball. It’s possible he gets back into some big-league contests over the final two weeks, but he won’t offer enough volume to make an impact for fantasy purposes. It would be interesting to see if his stuff plays up in shorter bursts out of the bullpen in the playoffs.
Source: Jack Harris