Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES — All eyes were on Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki as he made his much-anticipated debut at Dodger Stadium — but the results didn’t quite match the hype.
In just 1.2 innings of work, Sasaki allowed two runs, issued four walks, and struggled with command throughout the outing. While the talent was evident — his slider showed flashes of sharp movement — his signature fastball and devastating forkball never quite found the zone. Afterward, Sasaki spoke with honesty and maturity about what went wrong.
“Today, I don’t think it was nerves,” Sasaki said postgame. “It felt more like a technical issue. My mechanics weren’t where they needed to be, and that affected both my control and my velocity.”
Sasaki emphasized that his preparation has been focused on mechanical adjustments since the start of spring training, but translating those improvements to game action — especially at the big-league level — remains a work in progress.
“In practice, things can go well, but when the intensity of a real game kicks in, sometimes it doesn’t carry over,” he explained. “That’s something I have to keep working through. Every day brings new challenges.”
Despite the rocky outing, Sasaki remained level-headed, recognizing that development takes time. “I don’t expect to reach my ideal form immediately,” he said. “But I know I have games every week. So while I want results now, it’s also important not to get too caught up in small details or overcorrect.”
The 23-year-old right-hander, who has drawn comparisons to both Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish in terms of hype and potential, made it clear he still holds himself to a high standard.
“I expect, as a Major League starting pitcher, to be able to go out there and deliver quality outings,” Sasaki said. “It might take time to get everything right, but I’m committed to the process.”
Dodgers fans no doubt hoped for a more dominant debut, but Sasaki’s poise and self-awareness offer reason for optimism. Baseball’s a long season, and if his track record in Japan is any indication, Sasaki has the tools — and the mindset — to bounce back quickly.
As Sasaki continues to adjust to the Major Leagues, fans should expect a few bumps along the way — but also plenty of brilliance. One tough outing won’t define his season. In fact, it might just be the lesson that launches the next dominant stretch.
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