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The Los Angeles Dodgers are entering the 2026 season with Roki Sasaki in the starting rotation, despite his struggles throughout Spring Training to throw strikes.
The Dodgers remain in support of Sasaki, believing that his stuff can translate to the highest level of MLB as it did during the 2025 postseason.
However, all the evidence points to another rough time adjusting to major-league hitting and to throwing strikes.
Sasaki pitched 8.2 innings of non-concurrent work during the spring, allowing 15 earned runs with two home runs, 15 walks, and just 12 strikeouts.
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Mar 23, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) walks in the dugout after taking out from the game as Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) pats on the back during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
He ended up getting pulled from the last three games for losing total command of his pitches, and due to Spring Training rules, the Dodgers were able to put him back in the game.
Manager Dave Roberts was aiming to let him start fresh and regain his command, but it has highlighted concerns about his ability to get outs against quality opposition.
Monday’s start against the Los Angeles Angels is the last time when Roberts can do that for Sasaki. Next time, Sasaki will be pitching in a regular-season game when a substitution is permanent.
Roki Sasaki back-up plan
For his start, in case his command goes awry, the Dodgers are backing on swing-man Justin Wrobleski to be the piggy-back pitcher, according to Katie Woo of The Athletic.
The Guardians will deploy a lefty-leaning lineup, which should match up well against Wrobleski.
“The Dodgers will give Sasaki some leeway, but they’ll also be prepared to call an audible. Justin Wrobleski will be available out of the bullpen Monday in a piggyback role should Sasaki show a semblance of his spring self,” Woo reports.
“The club had floated the idea of using a hybrid six-man rotation dating to the offseason, stemming from uncertainty regarding Shohei Ohtani’s pitching progression while playing in the World Baseball Classic. That plan has quickly pivoted to needing security behind Sasaki.
“Though Roberts downplayed the notion of saving Wrobleski for one particular starter earlier in the week, the writing is on the wall. The Dodgers will stick with Sasaki in the rotation to start the season, but the runway will be short.
“Spring training numbers are often inconsequential, but Sasaki’s struggles run much deeper than the box score. That’s where the real concern lies. The Dodgers can afford to give Sasaki a run in the rotation, but it’s fair to question the sustainability of that decision — and the trickle-down effect it will have on the rest of the starters and the bullpen.”
The Dodgers can afford to be patient with Sasaki, but patience within the fanbase and organization will run thin if the results do not start showing more notable promise.
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