Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki. Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

Timeline for Roki Sasaki's Dodgers debut becomes clearer

By Kevin Henry | Last updated Feb 12, 2025 12:05 PM ET

Based on comments made by manager Dave Roberts on Wednesday morning, it sounds like Los Angeles Dodgers fans won't have to wait long to witness the debut of Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki.

With the Dodgers slated to take on the Chicago Cubs in the regular-season opener for both teams inside the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19, Roberts joined MLB Network to discuss his team's preparation for the overseas opener. It's the second consecutive year the Dodgers have began the year in Asia after meeting the San Diego Padres last season in Seoul, South Korea.

While talking about playing in Tokyo, Roberts said that two of the team's Japanese-born pitchers, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki, would both likely see time on the mound in Japan.

"I think the expectation for both those guys to pitch is real," Roberts said. "That's our expectation but, as I say that, you just never know. Today's our first day of pitchers and catchers so things can certainly change."

You can see the entire clip with Roberts below.

"The expectation is for both those guys to pitch..."@Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says the plan is to have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki take the mound in Japan #MLBNHotStove | @SageUSAmerica pic.twitter.com/suqFquqCHx
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 12, 2025

Sasaki making his Dodgers debut in Tokyo would certainly fast-track his way to his first MLB Opening Day roster spot. The 23-year-old right-hander landed with the Dodgers after an intense recruitment process after being posted by his Nippon Professional Baseball team, the Chiba Lotte Marines.

Yamamoto made his MLB debut with the Dodgers last season after seven seasons pitching in Japan and adjusted well to the new competition, posting a 7-2 mark in 18 starts with a 3.00 ERA, 2.61 FIP and 1.111 WHIP in 90.0 innings.

While Roberts may be leaning toward Sasaki and Yamamoto pitching in Japan, it is very unlikely that Shohei Ohtani will make his return to the mound during the Dodgers' visit to Tokyo. Roberts has said previously that a return in May was "about right" for Ohtani while he continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery.

Ohtani will most likely serve as the designated hitter for Los Angeles during the two-game set.

Kevin Henry

A member of the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA), Kevin Henry has been covering MLB and MiLB for nearly two decades. Those assignments have included All-Star Games and the MLB postseason, including the World Series. Based in the Denver area, Kevin calls Coors Field his home base, but travels throughout North America during the season to discover the best stories possible

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