Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki showcase Dodgers’ NLDS pitching depth
PHILADELPHIA — The Dodgers spent more than $125 million on their bullpen last winter. But when they needed relief late in Game 1 of the National League…
Is Roki Sasaki the Dodgers’ closer now? Why it’s undeniable
The Dodgers aren’t ready to call Roki Sasaki their closer, but who are they kidding?Sasaki is their closer.When the 23-year-old rookie from the Japanese countryside…
Relievers Roki Sasaki, Clayton Kershaw help as Dodgers reduce magic number to 1
PHOENIX — The Dodgers might’ve finally found an answer to their long-maddening bullpen problems.Just use some starters.In a 5-4 extra-innings win over the Arizona Diamondbacks that lowered…
Dodgers bullpen is a mess. Can Roki Sasaki’s return provide relief?
Dave Roberts often refers to his bullpen hierarchy as something of a “trust tree,” with branches of relievers he can trust in leverage spots.Right now,…
Roki Sasaki a playoff reliever? Don’t put it past desperate Dodgers
There’s desperate, and there’s desperate to where you’re looking for Roki Sasaki to be the answer to your team’s late-inning problems.The same Roki Sasaki who…
Strong rehab outing could put Roki Sasaki back in Dodgers’ postseason roster contention
Roki Sasaki topped 100 mph a half-dozen times in four shutout innings of a rehab start for triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday, pushing himself back…
Things are finally turning around for Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki
Between now and October, the Dodgers will be evaluating their increasingly healthy pitching staff, trying to identify the best 13 arms for their World Series…
Roki Sasaki’s shoulder issue puts Dodgers in a familiar, problematic position
Like pretty much every other time the Dodgers have found themselves in a self-made mess, the task of downplaying a major problem once again was…
Roki Sasaki’s declining fastball velocity is a problem. Can the Dodgers fix it?
In the Tokyo Dome in March, you could almost hear the zip of the ball.101 mph.The pop of the catcher’s mitt sounded like a gunshot.100…
Roki Sasaki delivers solid six innings, but Dodgers fall to Rangers
ARLINGTON, Tex. — Roki Sasaki will have to keep waiting for his first Major League Baseball victory.Despite his season-long six-inning, two-run start against the Texas Rangers on…
Roki Sasaki takes a step forward, Dodgers’ offense slides in loss
This is Roki Sasaki’s home now. The San Gabriel Mountains at his back as he stands atop the mound at Dodger Stadium. Stands filled with…
Roki Sasaki isn’t an instant star. The Dodgers don’t need him to be
Roki Sasaki chose right when he signed with the Dodgers.Never mind not being ready to lead the rotation of another team and challenge Shohei Ohtani.…
How did Roki Sasaki look during his Dodgers debut against Cubs?
TOKYO — It lasted just three innings. It included a grand total of 56 pitches. It ended barely an hour after it first began.But was it ever…
Why Roki Sasaki’s bond with Rikuzentakata endures after 2011 tsunami
RIKUZENTAKATA, Japan — Other than the concrete skeletal remains of a three-story office supply store, there was nothing on the expansive field.Just acres and acres of dried…
Roki Sasaki’s first official Dodgers outing is a rousing success
PHOENIX — It all came as advertised.The 99-mph heat. The late-diving, hard-biting splitter. The overwhelming, if still raw, stuff that many expect will make him a future…
How Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki are acclimating with the Dodgers
PHOENIX — As free-agent acquisitions go, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki generated similar hype upon joining the Dodgers this offseason.Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was…
Dodgers’ Roki Sasaki announces marriage; Bobby Miller feeling better
PHOENIX — The announcement came out of nowhere, so much so that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t even know about it before his daily address with reporters…
Dodgers rookie Roki Sasaki pleased with first live session of spring
PHOENIX — Everywhere Roki Sasaki looked Wednesday afternoon, curious eyes stared back at him.Facing hitters for the first time in Dodgers camp this spring, and still just…
What is ceiling for rookie Roki Sasaki? ‘Inside, I’m really nervous’
PHOENIX — Which Los Angeles newcomer will have a better season, Roki Sasaki or Luka Doncic?“Being biased,” Dave Roberts said with a hearty laugh, “I hope it’s…
Five takeaways from Roki Sasaki’s introductory press conference
When Sasaki held his initial round of in-person meetings with teams last month, the pitcher tasked each with a “homework assignment,” as his agent Joel…