Dodgers’ Sasaki delivers career-best outing amid pitching injury crisis
Manager Dave Roberts and catcher Dalton Rushing praise the 24-year-old’s growing confidence as Los Angeles navigates a significant absence of key rotation arms.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki delivered a dominant performance against the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, recording a career-high seven innings of four-hit ball in a 10-1 victory. The 24-year-old right-hander achieved a career-best eight strikeouts with no walks, utilising a 98 mph fastball and a variety of breaking pitches to secure the win. The outing marks a significant step forward for Sasaki, whose rookie season was previously defined by struggles with confidence and control.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and catcher Dalton Rushing praised Sasaki’s growing confidence and execution, noting the performance as a crucial development for the team. Roberts stated that Sasaki is now focusing on attacking the strike zone with his existing talent rather than making mechanical tweaks or fine-tuning new pitches. Rushing credited Sasaki’s success to his ability to trust his repertoire, noting that the pitcher generated 18 swing-and-misses against the Angels.
Sasaki joined the Dodgers in January 2025, signing a contract for at least the next six years after being a highly touted young star in Japan. His initial tenure was marked by difficulties, including a failure to secure a permanent spot in the rotation and a subsequent four-and-a-half-month absence due to shoulder problems. He later returned as the team’s closer during their playoff run, helping secure a second consecutive World Series title before returning to the rotation this season.
The victory comes at a critical time for Los Angeles, which is dealing with significant pitching injuries. High-priced starters Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, along with closer Edwin Diaz and reliever Jack Dreyer, are currently on the injured list. Despite these absences, the Dodgers maintain the third-lowest earned run average in Major League Baseball, with Sasaki’s sharpness viewed as a vital component of their ongoing success.
Rushings and Roberts expect Sasaki to be a big part of the effort to maintain the team’s pitching standards. “Pretty much it’s a confidence thing,” Rushing said. “He needs to trust his stuff, understand how good his stuff is, and execute.” With the team relying on depth amidst the injury crisis, Sasaki’s ability to consistently execute his pitches is seen as a major asset for the remainder of the season.
