Sasaki's Health and Potential
Despite High ERA, Dodgers Manager Roberts Sees Major Improvement in Roki Sasaki.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he has seen "drastic improvement" from pitcher Roki Sasaki in 2026 — even as the 24-year-old right-hander carries a 5.33 ERA through 16 starts this season, according to Idaho Statesman. The numbers look rough, but Roberts insists the best is still ahead for the young Japanese starter.
Sasaki missed nearly five months last season with a shoulder impingement. He returned this year still finding his footing, posting a 4.72 ERA through his first eight starts and nearly as many walks as strikeouts, Sports Illustrated reported. Despite the uneven results, Roberts sees a pitcher trending in the right direction.
From Shoulder Injury to 16 Starts in 2026
Sasaki's road to this season was not easy. A shoulder impingement sidelined him for close to five months, costing him significant development time early in his MLB career. Getting back on the mound at all was a major step, Charlotte Observer noted. His body appears fully healthy now, and that has made all the difference in Roberts' eyes.
After making just a handful of starts during his injury-shortened stretch, Sasaki has now logged 16 starts in 2026. That workload alone marks real progress for a pitcher who was barely able to take the ball last year, according to San Luis Obispo Tribune.
Roberts Points to Progress Beyond the ERA
A 5.33 ERA is not what the Dodgers hoped for when they signed Sasaki. But Roberts is looking past that number. He believes the underlying signs point to a pitcher growing into his role in Major League Baseball, Bellingham Herald reported. Roberts has been careful not to put too much pressure on the young starter.
Early in the season, Sasaki walked nearly as many batters as he struck out — a red flag for any pitcher. That ratio has since improved, which is a key reason Roberts feels confident about Sasaki's direction, according to Star-Telegram.
Why the Dodgers Still Believe in Sasaki's Ceiling
Sasaki was a dominant strikeout pitcher in Japan's NPB before joining Los Angeles. The Dodgers signed him believing his best years were still ahead. At just 24 years old, he has time to grow. Roberts has said publicly that Sasaki's ceiling remains very high, per Tri-City Herald.
The Dodgers are a team built to win now, with stars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman leading the roster. Adding a fully healthy, improved Sasaki to their rotation would be a major boost. The Olympian reported that Roberts still views Sasaki as a key part of the team's future plans.
What a Stronger Second Half Could Mean for LA
If Sasaki can lower his ERA in the second half of 2026, the Dodgers' rotation could become one of the best in baseball. Los Angeles already has strong arms at the top of their staff. A breakout stretch from Sasaki would give them real depth heading into the postseason, according to Kansas.com.
Roberts has not set a specific ERA target for Sasaki. But he has made clear the team is patient. They believe the injury setback, the early struggles, and the slow climb are all part of a bigger story — one that ends with Sasaki pitching like the ace they paid to bring over from Japan, Modesto Bee reported.
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