When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Roki Sasaki, they understood there would be an adjustment period as one of Japan’s premier pitchers transitioned to MLB.

Even so, the recent trend has raised concerns the organization cannot afford to ignore.

Sasaki’s outing against the San Diego Padres on Thursday highlighted the issues that have followed him over the past several weeks.

The right-hander lasted just three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits (three home runs) with three strikeouts and two walks before the Dodgers rallied from an early six-run deficit to earn a 12-7 victory.

It marked another difficult start in what has become an increasingly inconsistent stretch.

Over his last four starts, Sasaki has given up 19 runs in 17 innings while surrendering seven home runs, a sharp contrast from the progress he appeared to make earlier in the season.

The biggest concern has been his command.

After the game, Sasaki acknowledged to reporters that his command and overall execution were not where they needed to be. He also admitted there is work to do to regain the consistency he showed earlier in the season.

“They fouled off a lot of pitches, but maybe because my intensity of my fastball or maybe my command issues. I feel like I have to work on those things to improve,” Sasaki said according to SportsNet LA.

Those struggles represent a setback after an encouraging stretch in May and early June.

During that period, Sasaki appeared to be settling into MLB.

Mechanical adjustments, improved velocity, and greater confidence in his splitter helped stabilize his performances and reinforced the Dodgers’ belief that his development was moving in the right direction.

Instead, his progress has stalled.

Sasaki is 3-5 with a 5.40 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in 75 innings over 15 starts, with 75 strikeouts against 32 walks.

The timing is far from ideal for Los Angeles.

With Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell both spending extended time on the Injured List, the Dodgers have needed younger starters to assume larger roles.

Sasaki was expected to be one of the pitchers capable of helping stabilize the rotation, making his recent inconsistency even more significant.

Despite the recent struggles, the talent remains undeniable.

Sasaki still possesses one of the game’s liveliest fastballs, an elite splitter, and the swing-and-miss arsenal that made him one of the most coveted international pitchers in recent years.

The challenge is turning those tools into consistent production.

At 24 years old, Sasaki remains one of the youngest members of the Dodgers’ rotation, and growing pains are part of the transition to MLB.

The organization continues to believe he can become a cornerstone of its pitching staff, but that potential will depend on his ability to consistently command the strike zone and limit damaging mistakes.

The Dodgers remain confident in Sasaki’s long-term future.

For now, however, his development has become one of the team’s most important storylines as Los Angeles continues pursuing another National League West Division title and a deep postseason run.

Every outing from this point forward will be closely evaluated, as the Dodgers continue balancing immediate World Series expectations with Sasaki’s long-term development and confidence.

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