Roki Sasaki‘s arrival in Major League Baseball has been as shocking as it was unexpected
The young Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher has not only overcome a shoulder injury that threatened his season, but has made a seamless transition to the closer role, becoming a key piece during the postseason.
A historic milestone for Japanese baseball
During Game 3 against the Milwaukee Brewers, Sasaki pitched three perfect innings in relief, allowing no hits or runs. With this performance, he became the first Japanese-born pitcher to achieve three or more hitless innings in a playoff game, surpassing even marks that Shohei Ohtani has not reached.
The support of the coaching staff
Manager Dave Roberts made a risky decision to pull Tyler Glasnow and Emmet Sheehan to give Sasaki the responsibility in the eighth inning. The rookie responded with a dominant performance, including two strikeouts and five additional scoreless outs, cementing his role as closer.
Recovery and adaptation
Sasaki began his journey in MLB with difficulties, including a shoulder injury that kept him out for much of September. However, his return was strategic: first as a starter in the minor leagues and then as a reliever in the Dodgers bullpen. His rehabilitation was successful, and his performance has been impeccable ever since.
Dominance on the mound
In his postseason appearances, Sasaki has shown a velocity of up to 100 mph on his fastball and absolute dominance with his splitter, used in 11 key pitches. His ability to attack the zone and keep his composure in high-pressure moments has made him a reliable figure to close out games.
Gratitude and winning mentality
In statements to SportsNet LA, Sasaki expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery process. “I’m very grateful to all the staff and the organization. I feel healthy and ready to contribute,” he said. His focus and discipline have been instrumental in quickly adapting to the demanding MLB environment.
Sasaki’s future with the Dodgers
With the Dodgers getting closer to the World Series, Sasaki’s role as closer seems assured. His performance has been so solid that many already consider him the new standard-bearer for the Angels’ bullpen. If he maintains this level, he could become one of the great figures of the postseason and an icon of Japanese baseball in the United States.
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