Roki Sasaki got shellacked in his first trip to the mound in 2026, but his resilience impressed Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Roberts was his usually honest self when describing Sasaki’s first start where he gave up three runs and retired just four batters in the Dodgers’ 10-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale, Arizona on Wednesday.
Sasaki, who was the Dodgers’ closer in their postseason run to the World Series in 2025, struggled as a starting pitcher in his rookie season before being shut down with a shoulder injury. He finished the year 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in 10 outings but pitched to a 4.72 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in his eight starts in 2025.
Roki Sasaki Was ‘Overthrowing’ in His First Spring Training Start
Sasaki gave up 18 earned runs in just 34 1/3 innings as a starting pitcher last season, and he mainly struggled in first innings. Sasaki gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs in eight first innings in 2025 (7.88 ERA), and batters posted a .940 OPS against him in the first inning in 2025.
That trend alarmingly continued Wednesday, since the D-backs tagged Sasaki for three first-inning runs. Sasaki gave up a single to Geraldo Perdomo and walked Tim Tawa then served up back-to-back doubles, on a cutter to Nolan Arenado before Ildemaro Vargas turned around a 96 mph fastball that made it 3-0 D-backs.
“He was overthrowing the first inning,” Roberts said on Sportsnet LA. “I thought he was throwing too many fastballs. Didn’t command it, got behind [in the count].”
Sasaki struck out the final two batters of the first inning then K’d Druw Jones to lead off the second inning. He finished his day by walking Aramis Garcia before Sasaki was replaced by reliever Payton Martin.
“It was good to see him come out in the second inning [and] mix [his pitches] a little bit better and was more effective,” Roberts said. “It was his first outing, so you expect some adrenaline and some emotion.”
Edwin Diaz Looked Good in His First Spring Training Appearance
The Dodgers bent over backwards to get Edwin Diaz to Los Angeles to shore up their closer role, and he looked awfully sharp in his first appearance wearing Dodgers blue before he joins Team Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic.
Diaz pitched the fourth inning against Arizona on Wednesday and allowed just a one-out single to Jones, while striking out one and getting a pair of fly outs in his one scoreless frame. He threw just 12 pitches and earned the win, since LA scored four runs in the fifth inning and never trailed again.
“It was nice,” Roberts said of seeing Diaz pitch for the Dodgers. “Just to get him out there was a good thing, and hopefully the next time we can see him at [Dodgers spring training home] Camelback Ranch, but just to get him out there was pretty exciting.”
Diaz, of course, signed a three-year, $69 million contract to jump from the New York Mets. LA finished 2025 tied for seventh in blown saves (27), and former closer Tanner Scott led the majors with 10 during the regular season.
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