Full Breakdown
Roki Sasaki's Cactus League Debut: A Mixed Performance
2/26/2026, 1:09:55 PM
Struggles on the Mound
Roki Sasaki, the 24-year-old right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, faced challenges during his first Cactus League start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. In a game that ended with the Dodgers winning 10-7, Sasaki allowed three runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out three batters. His performance was marked by difficulty in finding the strike zone, as only 17 of his 36 pitches were strikes. Sasaki acknowledged the mixed results, stating, “There were some positive things, but also things I need to work on,” through an interpreter.
Sasaki's inning began with a hard-hit single from Geraldo Perdomo, followed by a walk to Tim Tawa. Nolan Arenado then hit a double that scored Perdomo, and Ildemaro Vargas followed with another double, bringing in both Tawa and Arenado for a 3-0 lead. After a mound visit from pitching coach Mark Prior, Sasaki managed to strike out Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt to conclude the inning. He struck out Druw Jones in the second inning but walked Aramis Garcia before being removed from the game.
Development of New Pitches
In preparation for the season, Sasaki has been working on developing a third pitch to complement his fastball and splitter. This new pitch, described by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts as a “slider-cutter” hybrid, aims to enhance his effectiveness as he seeks to secure a spot in the starting rotation. Roberts noted that Sasaki appeared to be "overthrowing" during the game, which contributed to his struggles, but he also observed improvements in Sasaki's command during the second inning.
Other Notable Performances
In addition to Sasaki, two other Dodgers pitchers made their Cactus League debuts. River Ryan pitched a scoreless third inning, allowing one walk and recording one strikeout. Edwin Díaz followed in the fourth inning, giving up one hit while also striking out a batter.
Official Statements & Responses
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on Sasaki's performance, indicating that while there were signs of improvement, the pitcher needs to refine his approach. He remarked, “I thought he was overthrowing... but he was getting behind in the first inning. It was good to see that second inning, I thought he mixed better and commanded the baseball a little bit better.”
Verbatim Quotes
What's Next
As the Dodgers continue their spring training, Sasaki will aim to build on this performance and solidify his role within the team's pitching rotation ahead of the regular season.
