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Roki Sasaki again struggles in Dodgers spring outing

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LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki struggled again Monday night in an exhibition game at Dodger Stadium, issuing multiple walks and allowing runs in a two-plus inning appearance during the Freeway Series against the Angels as spring training play continued. The outing reinforced concerns about Sasaki’s command — his spring ERA reached 15.58 across four exhibition starts with 15 walks — prompted bullpen usage in the game, drew comments from manager Dave Roberts, and preceded Yoshinobu Yamamoto being named to start Thursday’s regular-season opener.

Prepared by Emily Rhodes and reviewed by editorial team.

Timeline of Events

January 2025: Sasaki signs with the Dodgers for a $6.5 million bonus.
Early March 2025: Sasaki makes multiple exhibition starts, compiling a 15.58 ERA and 15 walks.
Monday night Freeway Series: Sasaki throws a 21-pitch first inning, issues multiple walks and is pulled.
Dodgers announce Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start the regular-season opener on Thursday.
Thursday: Regular-season opener approaches with rotation decisions and bullpen planning underway.

Why This Matters to You

If you're a Dodgers fan, Sasaki's performance could impact the team's season start. His struggles might mean more bullpen usage, affecting the team's strategy. Keep an eye on Thursday's opener to see how Yamamoto steps up.

The Bottom Line

Sasaki's spring struggles are concerning, but it's early days. The Dodgers have a deep roster and Yamamoto's start could shift the narrative. Remember, baseball is a marathon, not a sprint. Worth forwarding if you know a Dodgers fan bracing for the season.