The Los Angeles Dodgers got to unveil one of their most exciting offseason acquisitions as Japanese pitching phenom Roki Sasaki made his spring training debut Tuesday. Sasaki got some work in against the Cincinnati Reds in a Cactus League game and the 23-year-old hurler dominated.

Sasaki went three innings, allowing two hits and no earned runs while striking out five batters and issuing one walk, according to Dodgers reporter Noah Camras on X. “He had eight swings and misses, touched 99.3 mph and his splitter was nasty,” Cameras wrote.

The Dodgers revealed their plan for Sasaki’s debut last week. Yoshinobu Yamamoto would start the game and Sasaki would follow, getting in 3-4 innings of work. Prior to Tuesday’s outing, Sasaki had been limited to bullpen sessions and what was essentially live batting practice against the Chicago White Sox.

Roki Sasaki prepares for special season with the Dodgers

Mar 4, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki against the Cincinnati Reds during a spring training game at Camelback Ranch-Glendale.
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Dodgers won the Sasaki sweepstakes earlier this year when Roki opted to sign with the team, sending shockwaves across the baseball landscape. Sasaki was immediately considered the NL Rookie of the Year favorite, based largely on his dominant but brief career in NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball).

Article Continues Below
More Los Angeles Dodgers News
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tanner Scott (66) throws against the New York Mets.
Dodgers’ Tanner Scott calls game with extra innings win over PadresJosh Davis ·
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) stands in the dugout in the third inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.
Dodgers’ Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow get major updates from Dave RobertsMiguel La Torre ·
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) walks to the mound for a pitching change in the eighth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts makes eye-opening statement about Padres seriesYasmin Edañol ·
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) tosses the ball to first base in the ninth inning.
Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman moves up all-time MLB list in Padres gameJosh Davis ·
Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) reacts after hitting a double against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium.
Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani to take major pitching step on TuesdayChristopher Hennessy ·
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) pitches against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Busch Stadium.
Clayton Kershaw not pleased with Cardinals’ pregame jab at DodgersLorenzo J Reyna ·

Considering this is Sasaki’s first MLB experience, the Dodgers are bringing him along slowly. Fortunately, the team isn’t solely relying on the young righty as LA also has Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Oh, and the Dodgers signed former Cy Young winner Blake Snell to a five-year, $182 million contract. And the team will welcome reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani back to the mound this season as well.

And if the starters are having an off day, the Dodgers have Tanner Scott and Kirby Yates to come out of a stacked bullpen.

While some have complained of the Dodgers spending spree this offseason, suggesting that it’s destroying the competitive balance of baseball, it should be noted that there was never a competitive balance in baseball. And also Rob Manfred doesn’t have a problem with it. So…

Anyway, given all the hype around Sasaki’s arrival in MLB, he’s probably in the least stressful environment imaginable. While there’s pressure for him to succeed as an individual, he is in no way expected to carry this team of superstars.

Still, if he was expected to carry the team, it sure seems like he could. If his spring training debut is any indication.