STUNNING RISE AFTER A ROCKY START
Roki Sasaki’s stunning rise has officially taken another dramatic, high-stakes turn. The Los Angeles Dodgers flamethrower has been named to the Team Japan preliminary roster for the crucial 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
The 24-year-old right-hander initially struggled through his first few months with the Dodgers, posting a concerning $4.72$ ERA through his first eight starts before landing on the injured list early in May 2025.
After battling a nagging injury and facing immense pressure in Los Angeles, the former Japanese phenom transformed his performance by accepting an unexpected, necessary role change.
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POSTSEASON WEAPON POWERS HIS COMEBACK
Sasaki made a fierce comeback late in the season, instantly transforming into one of the Dodgers’ most dominant postseason weapons by accepting a high-leverage role out of the bullpen in October.
He finished the playoffs with a lights-out $0.84$ ERA across $10.2$ innings, recording multiple saves and shutting down opponents in pressure-cooker situations with triple-digit velocity and a devastating splitter.
This dramatic shift from struggling starter to dominant World Series reliever showcased the raw, electric arm that led the Dodgers to prioritize his signing in the first place, silencing all critics instantly.
This incredible success as a late-game arm in the MLB playoffs has now secured his spot on the prestigious national team, where he will join his Japanese teammates Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
CHASING WBC HISTORY IN TOKYO
The baseball world is now watching with high anticipation. They are waiting to see if his explosive, electric arm can power the heavily favored Team Japan toward an unprecedented fourth overall WBC title.
Sasaki was a key member of the 2023 championship squad, and his performance in the semifinals of that tournament cemented his global superstar status well before he even stepped foot on an MLB mound.
While the Dodgers organization could technically restrict his participation due to his 2025 season IL stint, the high-profile nature of his postseason success makes his international appearance inevitable.
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His inclusion in the World Baseball Classic ensures that the tournament will once again feature baseball’s most talented concentration of pitching talent, solidifying its place as a truly elite global event.
