Roki Sasaki Making Major Mechanical Change to Fix Command Issues
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki has been promising enough as a starter to keep his job, and the improvements could be traced back to one change.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki has been promising enough as a starter to keep his job despite lackluster results, and the improvements could be traced back to one change. Sasaki failed to throw strikes throughout Spring Training, with every start looking like an implosion waiting to happen, as he lacked all kinds of confidence on the mound. By the end of the preseason, Sasaki was in a rocky spot, and while the team kept their belief behind the Japanese arm, it looked like it would only be a matter of time before a demotion.
However, Sasaki pitched four innings and allowed just a run. It was not good enough for a starting pitcher in a great rotation, but given his form entering the start, Sasaki quelled some worries about his ability to handle it. May 11, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) delivers to the plate in the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images Since then, the Roki-coaster has been in full effect, with some positive stretches followed by a run of hits, walks, or home runs that lead to a blown-up inning. As a result, Sasaki has a 5. 88 ERA with a 6.
52 FIP, indicating his ERA should be higher than it is. During his last four starts, he has kept his command in check, allowing two walks or fewer, and has started going deeper into games. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Dodgers Nation (@dodgersnation) What has Sasaki changed?