The Los Angeles Dodgers have officially clarified their long-term plan for Roki Sasaki following his brief stint as a closer, when General Manager Brandon Gomes confirmed that the Japanese phenom will transition to a full-time starter role in 2026.
The announcement came after Los Angeles shook up its bullpen by signing Edwin Diaz, widely regarded as the best closer available, as Diaz‘s arrival instantly stabilized the bullpen, eliminating the need to rely on Sasaki in late-game situations.
Speaking on MLB Network‘s The Show, Gomes stated, “Absolutely. Yes,” affirming that Sasaki will join the starting rotation next season, partnering up with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The move removes any lingering doubt about Sasaki‘s role and signals the Dodgers‘ commitment to a long-term plan as they continue to build on their recent World Series success.
Diaz agreed to a three-year, $69 million deal, giving Los Angeles the anchor it desperately needed as the front office was clear that they wanted consistency and dominance.
The aim is to end the swings of momentum that cost the team critical games in the past, despite their success at the World Series and with Diaz secured as closer, Sasaki can now focus on developing into the ace many scouts projected.
He will face lineups early, work through innings at his own pace, and refine his craft without the pressure of closing games, which often disrupts rhythm and preparation as this strategy also provides stability for the team as the bullpen has struggled in recent seasons.
That’s despite the starting pitching rotation being exceptional, and last year’s instability contributed to lost opportunities.
Now, with Sasaki in the rotation and Diaz closing, the Dodgers can structure pitching roles around their strengths.
Ohtani wins AP male athlete of the year award
Meanwhile, Ohtani joined an elite group by winning the Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year Award for the fourth time, a distinction shared only with LeBron James, Tiger Woods, and Lance Armstrong.
The AP award has been presented annually since 1931 and the Dodgers two-way star previously won it in 2024, his first season with the team, and in 2023 and 2021 while playing for the LA Angels.
Ohtani also earned the National League MVP in November after leading in runs (146), slugging (.622), and OPS (1.014). As a pitcher, he recorded a 2.87 ERA across 14 starts with a 1-1 record, underscoring his rare talent as a dual-threat player.
He capped his postseason with National League Championship Series MVP honors, pitching six scoreless innings and striking out 10 in Game 4 while also hitting three home runs, a performance he called “probably the greatest game in my career.”
In the seven-game World Series against Toronto, Ohtani hit three homers and made two pitching starts. In Game 3, he reached base a record nine times, setting milestones for five walks and four intentional walks, further cementing his historic season.
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