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Roki Sasaki Shines in Three Scoreless Innings During Dodgers Spring Debut

The 23-year-old Japanese pitcher struck out five Reds batters and showcased his dominant splitter in his first Cactus League appearance.

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Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki throws to the plate during the fifth inning of their Cactus League game against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in Glendale, Ariz. Sasaki allowed two hits while striking out five in three scoreless innings in his debut. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

Overview

  • Roki Sasaki pitched three scoreless innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers in a spring training game against the Cincinnati Reds, striking out five batters and allowing just two hits.
  • Sasaki, who signed a $6.5 million minor league contract with the Dodgers in January, opted to join MLB early instead of waiting to command a larger free-agent deal in two years.
  • The right-hander demonstrated his elite splitter and fastball, which topped out at 99.3 mph, while escaping multiple scoring threats during his outing.
  • Sasaki is part of a strong Japanese contingent on the Dodgers, joining Yoshinobu Yamamoto and reigning National League MVP Shohei Ohtani.
  • He is expected to pitch in the Dodgers' second 2025 regular-season game against the Cubs in Tokyo on March 19, as the team plans to ease him into a six-man rotation due to past injuries.