Los Angeles Dodgers’ rookie Roki Sasaki was placed on the injured list Tuesday due to a right shoulder impingement, a condition similar to one he experienced while playing in Japan last year. The injury came after Sasaki reported discomfort following his last start, where he pitched for the first time on five days’ rest in the major leagues.
Despite his injury, he tried to push through the discomfort until he felt his performance was compromised. Sasaki’s injury was confirmed after scans were conducted on Monday during an off day, although a timeline for his return has not yet been determined.
Sasaki’s Injury Linked to Previous Shoulder Fatigue, Dodgers Hope for Full Recovery.
Sasaki, 23, has made eight starts for the Dodgers, posting a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA. In 34⅓ innings, he has struck out 24 batters while limiting opposing hitters to a .225 average. His most recent outing was against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he allowed five runs in four innings on 61 pitches. Originally scheduled to start against the Athletics on Thursday, the Dodgers are now likely to use a bullpen game in his place.
Roki Sasaki (MLB)
Sasaki’s injury seems to be related to past shoulder fatigue that limited him to 18 starts and 111 innings during his final year in Japan. The Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, expressed relief that the scans showed the current issue was similar to his previous injury, offering some familiarity in terms of treatment. The team is optimistic that with rest, Sasaki will regain his strength and return to his normal pitching form once fully healed.
Sasaki’s Injury Adds to Dodgers’ Pitching Struggles, Team Hopes for Postseason Bounce-Back.
Though Sasaki was known for his blazing fastball, which reached 100 mph in Japan and during his MLB debut, his velocity has dipped to the mid-90s in recent games. Roberts emphasized that the team is still trying to assess Sasaki’s physical condition and performance. The goal is to get Sasaki healthy, strong, and back to pitching at his best without sending him to the minor leagues. Despite his struggles, the team is hopeful that the time on the IL will serve as a reset for the rookie.
Sasaki’s injury adds to the challenges facing the Dodgers’ pitching staff, already dealing with injuries to Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. However, the team is hopeful that Clayton Kershaw, who is set to make his season debut on Saturday after starting the season on the IL, can help stabilize the rotation. With Sasaki’s return uncertain, the Dodgers are relying on a mix of strategies, including bullpen games, to weather the storm. The injury could ultimately help Sasaki recharge and be more effective during the postseason push.
Roki Sasaki poses as he is introduced by the Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani shared the exciting news with the Los Angeles Dodgers that highly regarded Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki would be joining their team. Ohtani sent a message to Dodgers’ president of baseball operations, Andrew Friedman, even before Sasaki’s agent reached out to the club.
“It was pure excitement when we found out,” said Friedman, on Wednesday, during Sasaki’s introduction outside Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said his reaction included “some expletives, maybe.”
Sasaki signed a minor league contract with a $6.5 million signing bonus. At 23 years old, Sasaki wore a No. 11 jersey with “R. Sasaki” on the back, becoming the 13th Japanese player to join the Dodgers.
Like Ohtani, Sasaki owns a dog—a black toy poodle. Sasaki even wore socks with a dog’s face on them.
“We share the same birthday,” Sasaki said, smiling, through a translator.
Sasaki is a right-handed pitcher whose fastball exceeds 100 mph. He made the decision to join the Dodgers public on Friday. Sasaki had met with eight teams, and after narrowing down the options, he visited the Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays.
“The Padres and Blue Jays made tremendous pitches, presentations. They left it on the field,” said Sasaki’s agent, Joel Wolfe. “When they left Toronto, I felt like he could easily go to Toronto. When we left San Diego, I felt like he could easily choose San Diego. When he came here, I really thought the entire process, it was a coin flip. I had no idea what he was going to say when he said, `OK, it’s Dodgers.’”
Sasaki joins fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the Dodgers in a move that many baseball executives had expected.
“I am deeply honored that many teams reached out to me with such enthusiasm, especially considering I haven’t achieved much in Japan,” Sasaki said through a translator. “It was an incredibly difficult decision to choose just one.”
Shohei Ohtani runs onto the field for introsuction before Game 3
Though Sasaki has pitched just under 400 innings in Japan, Friedman confirmed that Sasaki will be part of the team’s starting rotation right away.
“His goal is to be the first Japanese pitcher to win a Cy Young and he definitely possesses the ability to do that,” Friedman said. “The plan is to hit the ground running in spring training.”
Friedman praised Sasaki as “one of the most electrifying and promising talents in the game” and mentioned that the Dodgers have been tracking Sasaki for the past six years. Their scouts first saw him when he was in high school in Japan.
“Even then his explosive fastball, pinpoint command and poise beyond his years stood out,” Friedman said.
During the winter meetings last month, Wolfe denied that a deal with the Dodgers had been set already.
“I believe this was a fair and level process,” Wolfe said.
Wolfe added that MLB had investigated the situation.
“It was a long process,” Roberts said. “Roki kept things really close to the vest. There’s been a lot of man hours that have been put in this process and a lot of airline miles also.”
When asked why he chose the Dodgers, Sasaki replied, “I thought the Dodgers were at the top. The number one thing that stood out was the stability of the front office.”
Sasaki had until Thursday to finalize his contract. He was classified as an international amateur under MLB’s rules because he is under 25 and has not spent six years in the Japanese major leagues, meaning he is subject to international signing bonus pools.
Los Angeles started with a pool of $5,146,200 but increased it to $8,102,800 with a pair of trades last week, acquiring $1.5 million from Cincinnati and $1,456,600 from Philadelphia.
Roki Sasaki is introduced by Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers plan to use a six-man rotation, which could help Sasaki adjust to MLB, as the team seeks to become the first back-to-back champion since the New York Yankees from 1998 to 2000.
“He definitely asked about it and was curious about what the plan was,” Friedman said.
Sasaki talked about his experiences with natural disasters. When he was 9 years old, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake caused a tsunami in his hometown. The disaster destroyed his house and resulted in the loss of his father and paternal grandparents.
“As I also lived through a difficult time due to a natural disaster, I’ve always made sure to never lose sight of my goals and keep looking forward,” he said. “Los Angeles is facing challenging and difficult times right now. As a member of the Dodgers, starting today I am dedicated to give my best and strive forward with the people of this city.”
Sasaki was made available to MLB teams for a 45-day window by the Chiba Lotte Marines, part of an agreement between Nippon Professional Baseball and MLB.
The Marines will receive a release fee of $1,625,000, which is 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus. The payment is due within 30 days after MLB approves the contract.
Last year, Sasaki was 10-5 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 games, striking out 129 batters in 111 innings. His season was limited by shoulder inflammation. In 2023, he had a 7-4 record with a 1.78 ERA in 15 starts, despite suffering from an oblique injury. Over his four seasons with the Marines, Sasaki has a 29-15 record with a 2.10 ERA and pitched a perfect game against Orix in April 2022.
In addition to Sasaki, the Dodgers signed other international amateur free agents, including Venezuelan infielders Luis Tovar ($397,500) and Moises Acacio ($197,500), Panamanian left-hander Adrian Torres ($362,500), and Colombian shortstop Luis Luna ($137,500).
Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki watches the Lakers play the Washington Wizards
On Tuesday night, Roki Sasaki was featured on the video screen at Crypto.com Arena during the Lakers’ game against the Washington Wizards. The 23-year-old Japanese pitcher received an overwhelming and enthusiastic reaction from the crowd, even more energetic than what many celebrities get at Lakers games.
Sasaki Joins the Dodgers
Sasaki, who recently signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, can expect more of this kind of attention from L.A. sports fans. He is a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher with an impressive 2.10 earned-run average over four seasons in Japan. While he may not have been well-known to U.S. sports fans until recently, Sasaki became a sought-after free agent during the MLB offseason.
Sasaki’s Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, posted him last month, allowing him to become eligible to sign with an MLB team once the international signing period began on January 15. Two days later, Sasaki announced via Instagram that he had chosen the Dodgers.
Signing Details and Introduction
Because Sasaki is under 25, MLB’s international signing rules meant he could only sign a minor-league contract. His deal includes a $6.5 million signing bonus and will keep him under team control for six years. He will be officially introduced as a Dodgers player at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday.
New Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, left, and Lakers forward Rui Hachimura make the L.A. fingers sign for photographers
Meeting Lakers Stars
Before the game, Sasaki sat on the Lakers bench during pregame warmups and received a warm welcome from some of the biggest names in sports. Lakers superstar LeBron James greeted Sasaki with a handshake, saying, “Welcome to the city. Good to see you.”
Lakers forward Rui Hachimura, who was born in Japan, also made sure to connect with Sasaki before the game. The two spoke in Japanese and posed for photos, with Hachimura teaching Sasaki how to make the “L.A. fingers” sign.
Rui Hachimura’s Baseball Connection
Hachimura has a strong connection to baseball. He was given the name “Rui” by his baseball-loving grandfather, and before focusing on basketball, he was passionate about baseball. Growing up, Hachimura idolized future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki and drew inspiration from Shohei Ohtani. He was excited to throw the ceremonial first pitch at Dodger Stadium in July 2023 for Japanese Heritage Day.
Sasaki’s Visit to Crypto.com Arena
Sasaki, the newest Dodgers pitcher, seemed to enjoy his time at the Lakers game. He received a Lakers jersey with his name and No. 11, which is rumored to be the number he will wear with the Dodgers. Sasaki was also seen shaking hands with Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
In a video posted by the Lakers, Sasaki shared his excitement for attending his first Lakers game. He said in Japanese, “Today I’m here to watch my first Laker game. I’m looking forward to it.” Then, in English, he added, “Go Lakers!” It looks like Sasaki is already getting comfortable in L.A.
What the Los Angeles Dodgers Can Look Forward to from Roki Sasaki in 2025
Roki Sasaki, the 23-year-old Japanese pitcher, has chosen the Los Angeles Dodgers as his Major League Baseball team. He’s widely regarded as one of the most exciting young pitchers to come from Japan in years, boasting an impressive fastball that can reach triple digits, a devastating splitter, and a potential that has had scouts and analysts eagerly awaiting his move to MLB.
With a career ERA of 2.10 and 505 strikeouts over 394⅔ innings with the Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki has already achieved plenty in Japan, including two perfect games in 2022. Now, he’ll try to follow in the footsteps of other successful Japanese pitchers like Yu Darvish and Kodai Senga in Major League Baseball.
However, despite his incredible talent, Sasaki is not yet considered a finished product. Scouts and evaluators who have watched him closely in Japan warn that while his potential is vast, there are areas where he still needs to develop before reaching the top of MLB pitching. Below are five major takeaways from experts on Sasaki’s transition to Major League Baseball.
Sasaki Won’t Be an Ace – Yet
One of the most telling signs of Sasaki’s maturity is his self-awareness. Before meeting with MLB teams, he gave each team a homework assignment, asking them to explain why his fastball velocity had dropped in the previous season and how they would help him avoid such a drop in the future.
This shows that he is confident and forward-thinking, even at such a young age. Although his potential to be an ace is clear, scouts caution that he won’t be one immediately. Sasaki could start his MLB journey in the minors, or even as a back-of-the-rotation option to begin with. His decision to enter the MLB early instead of waiting a few years for a bigger payday shows his drive, but it also reflects that he still has room to grow.
His Splitter Is Unhittable
Sasaki’s splitter has been described in terms like “devastating” and “f—ing nasty,” with some scouts rating it as an 80-grade pitch. His splitter, which mirrors his fastball in appearance, travels at 88-92 mph and drops dramatically, often fooling hitters. Scouts believe his splitter might be the best secondary pitch in baseball.
Even Japanese hitters, who are known for handling splitters better than MLB hitters, struggle to hit Sasaki’s version. Though some say his splitter took a slight step back in 2024, it is still an elite pitch and will likely be one of the most feared weapons in MLB.
Roki Sasaki (MLB)
His Fastball Needs Improvement
While Sasaki’s fastball is certainly fast, hitting triple digits at times, some scouts have criticized its quality, with some calling it flat. This could be a problem in MLB, where hitters are more accustomed to high velocities. In Japan, Sasaki got away with it more often, but major league hitters might time up his fastball more easily.
The good news is that Sasaki is aware of this and has worked on diversifying his pitches. His goal is to improve his fastball, especially with better command on inside pitches, while also utilizing his slider and two-seam fastball more. If he can refine these aspects, his fastball will become a much more effective weapon.
His Workload Will Be a Concern
Sasaki has shown he can handle the spotlight, having starred in Japan’s prestigious high school baseball tournament and earned a No. 1 draft pick in 2019. However, his career in Japan has seen relatively light workloads, with his highest innings total in a season being just 129⅓.
Scouts believe Sasaki will need to be eased into a major league rotation, with a six-man staff potentially helping to limit his innings. While durability concerns exist due to his build and the heavy workload of his delivery, many believe Sasaki can adjust, especially as he gains more experience in MLB. Some experts predict that he will eventually add weight, which could help him handle the physical demands of pitching in the majors.
There Will Be Growing Pains, but He Can Handle Them
Sasaki’s journey to MLB will not be without its challenges. He will have to adjust to a new ball, mound, and culture, and he will be facing a completely different type of competition. But Sasaki has proven to be a deep thinker and someone who is always working to improve.
Even in 2024, when MLB scouts were watching his every move, Sasaki focused more on development than immediate results. This maturity and analytical mindset suggest that he can handle the transition, even though there will be inevitable growing pains. Sasaki is someone who holds himself accountable and is willing to take a step back when necessary to make long-term improvements.
While Sasaki might not immediately dominate Major League Baseball, his skill set and determination make him one of the most intriguing young pitchers in recent memory. If he can refine his fastball, improve his command, and adjust to the demands of the MLB schedule, he could very well develop into one of the game’s elite pitchers. For now, fans can expect to see flashes of brilliance from Sasaki, but also some bumps along the way as he adjusts to his new league.
Roki Sasaki is able to sign with Major League Baseball (MLB) teams during a nine-day period starting on Wednesday. This rare free agency is expected to have an impact on Latin American teenagers, as many of their agreements worth millions are on hold while waiting for Sasaki’s decision.
The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres are the top contenders to sign Sasaki, with the Toronto Blue Jays also in the mix.
Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, could have signed a major league deal worth over $100 million if he had stayed healthy and waited until after the 2026 season to be posted by his Japanese team. Yoshinobu Yamamoto took this route and signed a record-breaking 10-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers in December 2023.
However, since Sasaki is under 25 and has not played six seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), he is considered an international amateur by MLB. This means he is limited to signing a minor league contract with a spending cap set by MLB and the players’ association. The system, which began in 2012 and was updated in 2017, limits teams’ spending on international players.
Why will Roki Sasaki’s contract impact Latin American teenagers?
Players from countries outside the U.S. states, Puerto Rico, and Canada are grouped together for MLB’s international amateur free agency system. Sasaki is part of the 2025 group, which is mostly made up of 16-year-olds born between Sept. 1, 2007, and Aug. 31, 2008. The signing period opens Wednesday morning.
Sasaki has a limited time to sign with an MLB team due to a 45-day posting window set by the MLB-NPB agreement. He must sign by 5 p.m. EST on Jan. 23, or his rights will remain with the Chiba Lotte Marines, his team in Japan’s Pacific League.
Most international amateur free agents are Latin American teens. In 2024, 546 players from the Dominican Republic, 365 from Venezuela, and 52 from Mexico were signed, along with smaller numbers from other countries.
Though the 2025 class cannot officially sign contracts until Wednesday, informal agreements are common in countries like the Dominican Republic, Colombia, and Venezuela, where players as young as 14 are promised millions in deals that often help kids from poor backgrounds.
Roki Sasaki (MLB)
Each MLB team has a bonus pool, ranging from $5.1 million to $7.6 million, to sign international amateurs. Signing Sasaki could take up a team’s entire pool and may force them to back out of handshake agreements with other players. These players may face difficulties finding other teams to sign them since other clubs may also have agreements for large portions of their pool.
Last year, 290 contracts were signed on the first day of the signing period. This year, teams may hold off on deals to save space for Sasaki and may delay agreements until 2026. Some players, like Dominican shortstop Darell Morel, have already adjusted their plans and will sign with Pittsburgh instead of the Dodgers.
What are the bonus pools?
Each MLB team has a set budget for international amateur signings, with the amount based on the team’s record from the previous year, its spending on top free agents, and other factors.
For 2025, eight teams have the highest pool of about $7.6 million: the Athletics, Cincinnati, Detroit, Miami, Milwaukee, Minnesota, Seattle, and Tampa Bay.
Six teams have around $6.9 million: Arizona, Baltimore, Cleveland, Colorado, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Twelve teams have about $6.3 million: Atlanta, Boston, the Chicago Cubs and White Sox, the Los Angeles Angels, the New York Mets and Yankees, Philadelphia, San Diego, Texas, Toronto, and Washington. Houston and St. Louis have roughly $5.6 million, while the Dodgers and San Francisco have the smallest at $5.1 million.
Starting Wednesday, teams can make trades to increase their signing bonus pool by up to 60%. These trades must be in $250,000 increments, but teams can also trade their entire remaining pool in one deal.
Why would a team spend its full allotment on Sasaki?
Sasaki is an exceptional talent who has already proven himself in a top professional league and international tournaments. If he were a free agent, he could make hundreds of millions of dollars. However, like Shohei Ohtani in 2017, Sasaki values playing at the highest level more than maximizing his initial MLB contract.
Roki Sasaki (MLB)
In the 2023 World Baseball Classic, Sasaki threw 21 of 66 pitches over 100 mph, with a top speed of 101.9 mph in his start against the Czech Republic. In a semifinal against Mexico, 26 of his 64 pitches were over 100 mph, including a strikeout of MLB player Randy Arozarena with a pitch at 101.8 mph.
Sasaki had a 10-5 record with a 2.35 ERA in 2024, striking out 129 hitters in 111 innings despite shoulder inflammation. In 2023, he went 7-4 with a 1.78 ERA in 15 starts, while dealing with an oblique injury. His career record over four seasons with the Marines is 29-15 with a 2.10 ERA, including a perfect game in April 2022 against Orix.
If Sasaki is selected for an MLB roster in 2025, he would earn the league minimum of $760,000. After the 2027 season, he could become eligible for arbitration and free agency in 2030.
Due to the posting system, the Marines will receive a release fee equal to 25% of Sasaki’s signing bonus. Ohtani went through a similar system when he signed with the Los Angeles Angels for a $2.315 million bonus before the 2018 season.
Ohtani’s early move to the MLB worked out well for him. He took a pay cut in exchange for joining MLB sooner, earning $545,000, $650,000, and $259,259 (in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season) during his first three years.
He then made $3 million, $5.5 million, and $30 million during his three arbitration years, before agreeing to a record 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers ahead of the 2024 season.
