Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki has not been included on Team Japan’s roster for the World Baseball Classic.
According to a Yahoo News Topics report, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman met with Team Japan’s manager Hirokazu Ibata, during which Sasaki’s exclusion from the roster was requested.
The report claims that Sasaki’s absence was requested during the meeting.
“Sasaki has had a history of injuries this season, and the team reserves the right to suspend his participation in the WBC,” a source in the story said.
During an interview with Japanese TV earlier in the offseason, manager Dave Roberts expressed doubt over Sasaki playing in the tournament.
“I’d be surprised if Sasaki were to pitch in the WBC,” Roberts said.
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Sasaki battled an issue in his right shoulder last season, which kept him out for four months, though he returned during the closing stages of the regular season and transitioned into the bullpen.
Since the Dodgers have multiple quality starters, Sasaki was always going to have a hard time making the postseason rotation.
However, Los Angeles’ bullpen issues sealed his fate to become a reliever, and he ended up making several clutch appearances in the postseason as the team’s de facto closer.
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Following the retirement of Clayton Kershaw, Sasaki will end up slotting back into the rotation next season, getting another chance to become a full-time starter after a rocky introduction into MLB.
Given the key role Sasaki will likely assume this upcoming year, the Dodgers wisely decided to have him rest for the season amid the injury risk posed by added wear.
Sasaki should end up getting enough rest to be ready for a complete spring training, where he can carefully ramp up his preparation and tune up correctly so that he stays healthy and reaches a consistent velocity, something he struggled with in the early part of 2025.
John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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