The original plan for Roki Sasaki was to pitch an inning or two as the opener.
However, Sasaki had different thoughts.
“I stated that I wanted to pitch from the bullpen,” he mentioned in Japanese.
Since he will be serving as a reliever in the playoffs, Sasaki decided he should get accustomed to that role during the remaining regular-season games.
So instead of stepping up to pitch at the beginning, he threw in the fourth inning of the Dodgers’ 7-0 win against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday night.
This was his first time pitching in relief this season after a month-long stint on the injured list.
What stood out most during his appearance wasn’t just the fact that he struck out two batters or that he reached over 99 mph on six of his 20 pitches. No, it was his acceptance of moving away from the Dodgers’ rotation that made a real impression.
Last year, Sasaki was hesitant to switch roles, only doing so as a last attempt to salvage a difficult rookie season. Surprisingly, that change turned him into an October standout, becoming the default closer due to a lack of other options.
This year, he returned to being a starter, going 5-5 with a 4.56 ERA over his first 23 starts. While he was finding better form, with a 2-0 record and a 3.05 ERA after the All-Star break, a blister developed on his pitching hand during his last game on August 26 in Atlanta.
Sasaki took pride in being a starter. When he agreed to try relief pitching last season, he asked the Dodgers to promise he could start this year.
But when team officials approached him about a possible role change during a recent trip to Cincinnati, he didn’t need much convincing.
For the playoffs, the Dodgers are set to use a four-man rotation, featuring four pitchers who could each win the Cy Young Award: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, Tarik Skubal, and Tyler Glasnow. Sasaki quickly realized that, to pitch in the postseason, he would need to be a reliever.
“It’s crucial to make the roster,” he noted.
Because the Dodgers had kept their promise to let him start in the first half of the season—even when he struggled—Sasaki felt a sense of responsibility to return the favor.
“They used me as a starter, even when I wasn’t at my best,” he recalled.
During those initial starts, he didn’t exceed five innings, with his ERA sitting at 6.35. His fastball velocity was down, and he lacked command.
The Dodgers could have easily removed him from the rotation or even sent him down to the minors, but they didn’t, and that gesture meant a lot to him.
“This time,” Sasaki expressed, “I want to contribute to the team in any way I can.”
This sentiment reflects the growing trust between Sasaki and the organization.
A year ago, there seemed to be some disconnect. As he excelled as a closer last October, Dodgers staff highlighted how they helped him reclaim his 100-mph fastball. Sasaki, on the other hand, credited his resurgence to watching old videos of his high school performances.
Now, he’s reportedly more receptive to coaching, which has led to improvements in his fastball and a new variation of his forkball.
He’s also physically stronger compared to last season. Fatigue played a role in his postseason struggles, making him look worn down by the World Series. In Game 7, manager Dave Roberts opted for Yamamoto, who was pitching his third relief inning just one day after a six-inning start.
Currently, Sasaki appears more ready to handle the demands of a reliever’s role.
As for closing games in the upcoming playoffs, manager Dave Roberts noted that it’s definitely a possibility.
Edwin Diaz is also vying for the ninth-inning spot after three consecutive scoreless outings post-injury. Tanner Scott has usually been the Dodgers’ primary closer, although Roberts mentioned he might use Scott in high-pressure situations earlier in games.
Sasaki has made it clear that he’ll be ready to pitch whenever necessary.
The final week of the regular season will dictate how that plays out. Roberts indicated that Sasaki will likely pitch again on Friday in San Francisco.
This time, there’s no hesitation from Sasaki. He’s eager to embrace this role.
