Roki Sasaki Skips WBC, Dodgers Eye Starter Role with New Pitch Development

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki, 24, will skip the WBC to focus on Spring Training, where manager Dave Roberts plans to give him "every chance to be the fifth or sixth starter." After a challenging rookie season and a shoulder impingement, Sasaki excelled as a reliever in the 2025 postseason with 3 saves and a 0.84 ERA. Roberts stresses the need for Sasaki to develop a third pitch, such as a slider or curveball, to complement his 100-mph fastball and forkball for sustained success as a starter, highlighting a mental hurdle for the naturally gifted Japanese pitcher.