Roki Sasaki Reveals What He Needs to Improve Before Dodgers, MLB Debut
The Los Angeles Dodgers had an idea of what they were getting when they signed Roki Sasaki this offseason, and he has been as advertised this spring.
Through two appearances, including one start, Sasaki has struck out seven in his seven innings of work.
However, Sasaki isn’t satisfied with two good outings and thinks he can improve before making his Major League Baseball debut against the Chicago Cubs on March 19 in Tokyo.
“There are a few more things that didn’t go sort of the way I wanted today,” Sasaki said after his start against the Guardians. “I reverted to some bad habits that I developed. To have those come out in a game before Opening Day, so that I can address them in time, is a good thing.
“… I think there were just a few things with the way I’m using my lower half, just some inconsistency between the things that I’m trying to do and what was actually happening.”
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The Dodgers have slowly been stretching Sasaki out. His first appearance this spring was against the Reds, when he pitched three innings in relief. His second and final Cactus League game was Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians. He started and threw four innings.
Manager Dave Roberts has noticed an incredible amount of growth in just a short amount of time.
“As he started to pitch in games, get on a routine, I think the command started to continually get better,” Roberts said. “He was commanding the baseball much better. I think he learned early on that his split plays here as long as he presents it as a strike. There’s swing-and-miss there, and it protects his fastball. So [Tuesday], certainly very efficient.”
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Up next for Sasaki is hopefully five innings against the Cubs in his home country and he can’t wait that day to arrive.
“Obviously being able to pitch in the major leagues is something that I’ve worked for a long time to be able to do,” he said. “So I’m really excited.”
Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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