Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki struggles again in his spring outing

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki struggles again in his spring outing

LOS ANGELES—Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki had another tough spring training start on Monday night.

Sasaki walked six batters and allowed five runs in two-plus innings against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium. He threw 66 pitches, of which 32 were strikes.

The Japanese right-hander has a 15.58 ERA in four exhibition starts for the defending World Series winners. He’s walked 15 in 8 innings, raising concerns about his readiness for the start of the regular season.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start for the Dodgers in their home opener against Arizona on Thursday.

Sasaki did not get out of the first inning. He hit Zach Neto with a 3-0 fastball, and Mike Trout reached on a fielder’s choice. Sasaki then walked three straight batters before being replaced by Ronan Kopp.

Sasaki, 24, returned for the opening of the second. He hit Neto again and walked Trout before escaping the jam with a couple of grounders.

He walked Yoán Moncadain in the third inning before striking out Jo Adell and Josh Lowe. Logan O’Hoppe then lined to second for the last out of the inning.

Sasaki was replaced by Ben Casparius after walking Adam Frazier to start the fourth inning. Frazier ultimately scored on Nolan Schanuel’s sacrifice fly.

Sasaki signed a minor league contract with the Dodgers in January 2025, earning a $6.5 million signing bonus because he was under 25 and subject to international signing bonus pool restrictions. He previously played four seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League.

Sasaki, who was out for much of last season due to a right shoulder impingement, was 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA in eight starts and two relief appearances.

He returned in September and became an important member of the bullpen throughout the postseason, allowing only one earned run in 10 innings and earning three saves to help the Dodgers win their second consecutive championship.