During his first 2026 Spring Training appearance on February 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Roki Sasaki struggled significantly, throwing 27 pitches while allowing three earned runs, three hits, and two walks in just 1⅓ innings. Despite striking out two batters, his performance fell short of expectations for the Los Angeles Dodgers, especially under the pressure of securing a starting rotation role. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has already emphasized the need for consistency and a reliable third pitch if Sasaki is to maintain his spot as a starter.
Sasaki’s dominance in the Dodgers’ bullpen during the 2025 postseason generated high hopes, as he posted a phenomenal 0.84 ERA and became the team’s most dependable late-inning relief pitcher. However, his prior struggle as a starter, reflected in his 4.46 ERA before the transition, along with limited innings due to a shoulder impingement last year, are casting a shadow over his 2026 prospects. After posting only 36.2 innings in 2025 and spending nearly four months in the minors, the Japanese pitcher’s spring outing was far from encouraging.
Challenges in Securing a Rotation Spot Among Strong Competition
With an already crowded Dodgers’ rotation featuring established stars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, Sasaki faces intense competition for the remaining two starting positions. Alongside Gavin Stone, River Ryan, and Emmet Sheehan, Sasaki is battling to prove his readiness for a starting role. His pitch selection in the recent outing—which included a fastball and splitter but lacked effective sliders or a dependable third pitch—failed to demonstrate the versatility demanded by manager Dave Roberts.
Roberts has made it clear that Sasaki must develop and consistently use at least three effective pitches to stay in the rotation. While Sasaki attempted to mix in sliders, they did not significantly support his case. If he cannot meet these standards, the Dodgers may decide his skills are best suited for the bullpen, reviving his previous role in the late innings.
Trade Speculation Intensifies Amid Sasaki’s Uncertain Status
The struggles during spring practice have fueled trade rumors surrounding Sasaki, which seemed unlikely just months ago. According to Zachary Rymer of Bleacher Report, the Dodgers might consider including Sasaki as part of a package deal for Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, a player the Dodgers pursued actively throughout the offseason. The proposed trade package would reportedly include Sasaki along with prospects Zyhir Hope and Jackson Ferris heading to Detroit in exchange for Skubal.
Another prominent rumor from FanSided’s Christopher Kline suggests the Dodgers could trade Sasaki to acquire the Cincinnati Reds’ Hunter Greene. Greene has been linked with the Dodgers in various trade talks, and Sasaki’s name has surfaced as the potential cost to land him. Despite these swirling speculations, there has been no official confirmation from the Dodgers’ front office, though Sasaki’s ongoing difficulties have stirred uncertainty about his future with the team.
Manager Dave Roberts Stresses Need for Development and Adaptability
He has to be open and understand that if he wants to be as great as a starting pitcher in the big leagues, that third pitch is important… We’re expecting him to be good, he’s expecting to be good, and to continue to get better,
Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
The Dodgers’ manager has repeatedly emphasized the importance of Sasaki adopting a more diverse pitch repertoire to avoid predictability on the mound. Sasaki’s ability to evolve his pitching style will be critical in determining whether he secures a starting spot or remains confined to the bullpen, or if a move to a different team might become necessary.
Implications for Dodgers’ Season and Sasaki’s Career Going Forward
The Dodgers enter the 2026 season facing difficult decisions as they balance a deep pitching roster and expectations for postseason success. Sasaki’s challenges highlight a key area of concern, as the team weighs whether to continue investing in his development or consider trading him as part of strategic roster moves. His early-season struggles not only impact his personal career trajectory but could also influence the Dodgers’ rotation strength and bullpen depth.
For Sasaki, the pressure to adapt rapidly is immense. His recent performance underscored the gap between his bullpen dominance and starting rotation demands. Should he rebound and develop a more effective pitch mix, he may solidify his place in the starting rotation. However, failure to meet these expectations could lead to prolonged bullpen duties or a change of team, leaving his future with the Dodgers in question.
