Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to a Philadelphia Phillies batter during the ninth inning in Game 4 of baseball’s National League Division Series Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
According to a report from journalist Francys Romero, Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki is on Japan’s 35-man preliminary roster. Romero reported that Sasaki isn’t expected to have any trouble making the final roster. Under World Baseball Classic rules, Sasaki must receive final approval from the Dodgers to participate because he spent more than 60 days on the injured list. It appears the Dodgers will grant that permission.
Sasaki is coming off his rookie year in MLB, which carried major expectations after he was the top pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball in 2024. His posting by the Chiba Lotte Marines led to heavy recruitment across MLB before he signed with the Dodgers and opened the season in their rotation.
The results were not what many imagined. He posted a 4.72 ERA with 24 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings as a starter. After being a pitcher who regularly hit 100-plus mph in Japan, his average fastball velocity sat at 95.7 mph when he was placed on the injured list on May 13. Just before that IL stint, his velocity dipped below 95 mph in a couple of starts. He spent a significant amount of time on rehab assignments and struggled early as a starter before rediscovering his velocity in late August and early September at Triple-A, showing again why he was so highly regarded. Upon returning to the Dodgers, he was shifted to the bullpen as a high-leverage reliever.
In the playoffs, Sasaki became a critical bullpen arm and served as the closer at times. He posted a 0.84 ERA with six strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings to help the Dodgers clinch a second consecutive championship. He is now expected to suit up for Japan for the first time since the 2023 World Baseball Classic.
At the 2023 WBC, Sasaki started two games for Japan, with his biggest outing coming against Mexico in the semifinals. He pitched four innings, struck out three and allowed a three-run homer to Luis Urías. Despite the home run, he showed why he drew so much hype, touching 102 mph with a devastating splitter. With Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto not yet confirmed to pitch, Sasaki could end up as Japan’s ace. Japan is seeking a fourth WBC championship and its second stretch of back-to-back titles.
With Sasaki set to rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation in 2026, he will be looking to use the WBC as a springboard to a big season.
