This wasn’t supposed to happen.
Not to him. Not this close to Opening Day.
The hype was massive. The expectations? Even bigger.
But right now, Roki Sasaki is facing a reality no one in Los Angeles saw coming.
In what should have been a tune-up performance, the Dodgers’ highly anticipated Japanese star instead delivered another alarming outing—one that is now raising serious concerns just days before the regular season begins.
On Monday night at Dodger Stadium, Sasaki struggled again. And not just slightly.
The 24-year-old right-hander issued a staggering six walks and gave up five runs in just over two innings against the Los Angeles Angels. He needed 66 pitches to get through the outing—less than half of them strikes. For a pitcher once praised for precision and dominance, the numbers tell a troubling story.
And it doesn’t stop there.
Across four spring training starts, Sasaki now holds a shocking 15.58 ERA. Even more concerning? He has walked 15 batters in just 8 2/3 innings. Control—once a strength—has suddenly become his biggest weakness.
This wasn’t just a bad night. It’s becoming a pattern.
The first inning alone set the tone—and it unraveled quickly. Sasaki hit Zach Neto with a 3-0 fastball, then watched Mike Trout reach base. What followed was chaos: three straight walks, mounting pressure, and an early exit without recording a single out.
For a pitcher expected to compete at the highest level, it was a moment that felt almost surreal.
He returned in the second inning, trying to reset—but the issues persisted. Another hit batter. Another walk to Trout. Though he escaped without further damage, the command simply wasn’t there.
By the third inning, flashes of control appeared. He struck out Jo Adell and Josh Lowe, briefly hinting at the talent that made him one of the most talked-about international signings. But even that moment of promise couldn’t erase the bigger picture.
Because moments later, the problems returned.
A leadoff walk in the fourth inning ended his night—and ultimately turned into another run for the Angels.
For Dodgers fans, this is where the anxiety begins to build.
Sasaki arrived in Los Angeles with enormous expectations after dominating in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Signed in 2025 for a $6.5 million bonus, he was viewed as a potential long-term weapon—someone who could elevate an already elite pitching staff.
And there were signs of that potential.
Despite being sidelined for much of last season due to a shoulder impingement, Sasaki made a powerful return late in the year. During the postseason, he was nearly untouchable—allowing just one earned run across 10 2/3 innings and securing three saves as the Dodgers marched to another championship.
That version of Sasaki looked fearless. Electric. Ready.
This version? Uncertain.
With Opening Day just days away, the timing couldn’t be worse. While Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to take the mound for the Dodgers’ season opener, attention is quickly shifting toward Sasaki—not for dominance, but for doubt.
Is this just spring training rust?
Or is something deeper going on?
The Dodgers remain one of the most talented teams in baseball. But even for a powerhouse, instability on the mound can’t be ignored—especially when it involves a pitcher once viewed as a future cornerstone.
For now, the answers aren’t clear.
But one thing is certain:
Roki Sasaki’s season hasn’t even started yet…
and already, the pressure is building.
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