The “defining moment” for Roki Sasaki in 2026 isn’t a new pitch or a higher velocity—it’s the mechanical reset of his lower half. After a rollercoaster rookie year in 2025, where he transitioned from a struggling starter to a lights-out postseason closer, experts and Dodgers insiders have pinpointed lower-body efficiency as the “single factor” that will make or break his return to the rotation.
As of December 23, 2025, the Dodgers have officially confirmed that Sasaki will return to a starting role for the 2026 season. However, this transition comes with a high-stakes “crucial detail”: the team has reportedly blocked him from playing for Team Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic to ensure his delivery is fully overhauled before Spring Training.
The “Velocity Vacuum” of 2025
Sasaki’s rookie campaign was a “perplexing case” of diminished power. After arriving with a 102-mph reputation, his fastball frequently sat in the mid-90s, leading to a 4.72 ERA and a three-month stint on the IL with a shoulder impingement.
- The Diagnosis: Dodgers Director of Pitching Rob Hill identified that Sasaki was “throwing all arm,” failing to engage his lower half. This put immense strain on his shoulder and made his 100-mph heater “hittable” in the strike zone.
- The Transformation: During his late-season stint in the bullpen, Sasaki began “using his legs again,” which saw his velocity spike back to 100 mph during the NLDS.
The 2026 “Starter” Checklist
To survive a full season in a rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, experts say Sasaki must master three things:
- Lower-Half Consistency: Maintaining the “killer look” mechanics through 100+ pitches, not just 15-pitch relief bursts.
- The New Cutter: Reports from the Dodgers’ Arizona complex suggest Sasaki is developing a cutter to complement his world-class splitter, giving him a “horizontal” weapon to keep MLB hitters off his fastball.
- Health Management: Having never thrown more than 130 innings in a season (NPB or MLB), his durability remains the ultimate “break” point.
A Star in the Making?
While the decision to keep him out of the WBC has caused “turmoil” among Japanese fans, the Dodgers view it as a “necessary sacrifice” to protect their investment. By choosing a “fully healthy offseason” over international glory, Sasaki is signaling that his rise to MLB stardom is his only priority.
Social media is currently buzzing with 11,000,000 impressions as fans track “Roki’s Ramp-up.” If the mechanics hold, the “Monster of the Reiwa Era” won’t just be back—he’ll be the most dangerous No. 3 starter in baseball history.
