Overview

• Roki Sasaki's fastball velocity has declined to an average of 96.7 mph in MLB, down from the triple-digit speeds he achieved in Japan's NPB.
• In his May 9 start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Sasaki allowed five earned runs in four innings, with no swings and misses on his fastball.
• Through his early MLB starts, Sasaki holds a 3.86 ERA, 24 strikeouts, and a 1.45 WHIP, respectable but below the elite expectations set by his NPB dominance.
• Fans and analysts have criticized Sasaki's performance, with some questioning his potential and speculating on causes such as injury or adjustment issues.
• Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged the challenges of Sasaki's adaptation, indicating adjustments to his workload and rest schedule are under consideration.