Dodgers Spring Training: Roki Sasaki Making First Cactus League Start

Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training is coming to a close on Tuesday with Roki Sasaki scheduled to take the mound agains the Cleveland Guardians for his first Cactus League start.

The outing is also going to be Sasaki’s last of the exhibition season in Arizona. It’s possible the right-hander starts one of the Freeway Series games against the Los Angeles Angels that are sandwiched between the Tokyo Series and Dodger Stadium opener.

Sasaki up to this point has only pitched in three Spring Training games. However, the first was in a hybrid ‘B’ game against Minor Leaguers from the Chicago White Sox organization, and it drew plenty of headlines because of Sasaki surrendering a leadoff home run to prospect Kyle Teel.

Sasaki’s next time pitching was against the Cincinnati Reds, but his Cactus League debut came in the form of a relief appearance. Because of the condensed Dodgers Spring Training schedule, the heralded prospect was utilized out of the bullpen as a piggyback to Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

Yamamoto pitched four innings and Sasaki followed with three scoreless frames. He dazzled in the appearance, flashing a fastball that nearly reached triple digits in velocity and devastating splitter that dove to both sides of the plate.

Now the 23-year-old gets an opportunity to start against the Guardians in what is shaping up to be a final tuneup before starting in the Tokyo Series.

Although Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently indicated there could be a change with Sasaki’s MLB debut, there are indications he remains on track to face the Chicago Cubs.

Blake Snell is going to start one of the exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome and Yamamoto is penciled in to take the ball on Opening Day.

Roki Sasaki’s donation

As the spotlight has remained on Sasaki heading into his first Major League season, the Japanese native recently donated to his hometown amid devastation caused by a wildfire.