Dodgers' Roki Sasaki has turned a corner over his last four starts

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

Dodgers' Roki Sasaki has turned a corner over his last four starts

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated May 25, 2026 6:03 PM ET

When it comes to 24-year-old Roki Sasaki, he's been highly streaky with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Despite ongoing struggles with the Japanese starter, manager Dave Roberts has kept him in the rotation, and it's paid off recently.

He's rebounded from a 5.97 ERA and 1.67 WHIP across his first six starts, where he experienced hurdles with his fastball command.

But in his last four starts, he's compiled a 3.52 ERA with a 1.04 WHIP and a 5.3% walk rate and 22.3 % strikeout rate.

Sasaki was at risk of losing his spot in the rotation with Blake Snell returning from injury. But following one start from Snell in his return, he was placed back on the IL with loose bodies in his left throwing arm. Sasaki has remained in the rotation with Tyler Glasnow also rehabbing an injury.

Roki Sasaki has turned a corner over his last four starts.

23 Innings
3.52 ERA
1.04 WHIP
5.3% BB
22.3% K

A big change for him this month? More splitters (17% more) and fewer forkballs (15.5% less).#Dodgers pic.twitter.com/wgn8GEFaOa
— Eric Cross (@EricCrossMLB) May 25, 2026

How Roki Sasaki has turned a corner in the Los Angeles Dodgers rotation

A significant change for Sasaki in May has been a tweak in the usage of his splitters and forkball. He has utilized his splitter more (17%) and has thrown less of his forkball (15.5% less).

The issue with his forkball is that a good portion of the ones that he throws don't locate the strike zone. He has to command his forkball perfectly to establish good swing and miss dominance.

Overall, Sasaki has shown improved command, throwing strikes at a 69% to 75% clip. His aggressive approach has demonstrated durability, where he has pitched into the fifth and seventh innings. This has ultimately taken pressure off the Dodgers bullpen.

His recent turnaround has also stemmed from him getting into deep counts and avoiding walks. Against the Los Angeles Angels on May 17, he threw a seven-inning gem and, for the first time in his career, didn't give up any walks.

In addition, he only surrendered two walks apiece against the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals. His recent stretch of success has shown how he's steered clear of wild outings that consistently weighed him down.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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