🚨 JUST IN: After months of mystery, the Dodgers reveal their meticulous plan to ease Roki Sasaki into the 2026 rotation—and the hidden details have fans buzzing ⚡.NL
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the team intends to use Roki Sasaki as a starting pitcher next season.
Sasaki, who turned 24 on November 3, signed with the Dodgers last January after pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines from 2021–24. The 6-foot-2, 187-pound righty went 1–1 with a 4.46 ERA and a 28–22 K-BB ratio in 10 games and eight starts.
A shoulder injury kept Sasaki out for over four months, though he returned in time for the Dodgers’ playoff run. Roberts used Sasaki exclusively as a reliever in the postseason, and the rookie impressed with a 0.84 ERA and three saves over 10 2/3 innings.
“Our goal is to keep him healthy, keep him strong, and make starts for us next year,” Roberts said.
Control remained an issue for Sasaki in the playoffs, with him allowing five walks against six strikeouts. Roberts nonetheless came away impressed with Sasaki’s attitude and demeanor coming out of the bullpen.
“Roki is obviously a young player, and the way it started for him, I thought he overcame a lot of adversity,” .
What Will the Dodgers’ 2026 Rotation Look Like With Roki Sasaki?
The Dodgers have previously reiterated that two-way superstar and four-time MVP Shohei Ohtani will continue pitching in 2026. Ohtani posted a 2.87 ERA and a 62–9 K-BB ratio over 47 innings and 14 starts after returning from 2023 Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani saved his best start of the season for Game 4 of the NLCS, striking out 10 Milwaukee Brewers hitters and limiting them to two hits and three walks in six innings. He also hit three home runs that night and earned NLCS MVP honors.
World Series MVP and Cy Young finalist Yoshinobu Yamamoto is the de facto ace after an excellent 2025 season. The 27-year-old Yamamoto finished his second big-league campaign with a 2.49 ERA and a 201–59 K-BB ratio in 173 2/3 innings.
Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young winner, returns for the second season of a five-year, $137 million contract. Injuries have limited Snell to 31 starts the last two years, and he missed four months with a shoulder injury this past season. Tyler Glasnow, who has battled injuries throughout his career, should round out the rotation if he can stay healthy.
Longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw retired after the World Series. If any of their starters go down, the Dodgers can turn to Emmet Sheehan, who posted a 2.82 ERA in 73 1/3 innings.
There have been no credible reports about the Dodgers pursuing another starting pitcher via free agency or trade. Notable free-agent pitchers include San Diego Padres teammates Dylan Cease and Michael King, Houston Astros veteran Framber Valdez, and the Philadelphia Phillies’ Ranger Suárez.
