The Los Angeles Dodgers are looking to break a long-standing MLB curse: winning back-to-back championships. While that goal may seem simple on paper, the reality is far more difficult. As the postseason approaches, the Dodgers are facing several major roster decisions — and one of the most surprising names in the mix is rookie pitcher Roki Sasaki.
“Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was elated to see the difference and confidence in rookie Roki Sasaki tonight: ‘He looked like a different person,’” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale posted.
Sasaki struggled earlier in the season as a starter before going down with an injury in May. Upon returning, he was optioned to the minors — but things didn’t look promising there either. At one point, it seemed certain he wouldn’t be part of the Dodgers’ postseason plans.
“The Dodgers no longer can count on rookie Roki Sasaki helping them down the stretch. His velocity is nowhere near the 102 mph he threw in Japan. He has thrown 59 fastballs through his two rehab starts, and has generated only one swing-and-miss,” Nightengale wrote.
That changed when the Dodgers made the strategic decision to move Sasaki to the bullpen. He got his opportunity in the final week of the regular season — and he didn’t disappoint. After just two relief appearances, the team shut him down to preserve his arm.
“Sasaki pitched on one day of rest on Friday, and previously got two days off in between his other relief outings. Roberts said Sasaki will not make it into the final two games of the regular season,” MLB.com’s Sonya Chen wrote.
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The only question that remained: was he good enough to make the postseason roster? Roberts appeared to give his answer.
“The way he threw, the big games he's pitched in before, that's something I can trust,” Roberts told the media.
After a tough season, Sasaki may have carved out a playoff role when it mattered most. His late-season turnaround is a reminder that perseverance can pay off — even when the odds are stacked against you.
Roberts now sees him as a trusted arm — all thanks to a simple role change. After months of bullpen struggles, adding Sasaki brings a small but meaningful boost to the Dodgers’ October hopes.