Roki Sasaki's latest outing on Tuesday night needed to be a step in the right direction to ease the mind of the Los Angeles Dodgers. 

Unfortunately, it added another loop of questions and uncertainty to how Sasaki could perform as a starter in 2026. 

In 3 1/3 innings pitched against the Kansas City Royals in Surprise, Arizona, Sasaki gave up three earned runs, walked five and struck out five. The Dodgers put together a six-run ninth inning to beat the Royals 10-4.

The command has been a recurring issue for Sasaki this spring, but early on in his third Cactus League start, it looked as though he found his rhythm early. 

Through the first two innings, Sasaki struck out two and topped out at 100 mph. It wasn't until the third inning that his command started to go awry. 

Sasaki began the third inning striking out David Cross before walking the next three batters. After walking Lane Thomas, manager Dave Roberts pulled him out of the game with 49 pitches under his belt. 

With less than 50 pitches thrown, it was certain that Sasaki was going to re-enter in the fourth inning, which he promptly did. 

He began the inning the same way he started the previous one, but after giving up a single to Kevin Newman, pinch-hitter Luca Tresh launched a two-run bomb on a poorly placed fastball. 

Later on in the inning, Roberts had another mound visit with Sasaki alongside the Dodgers trainer. 

It was revealed in the postgame that the cause of the mound visit was due to both of his calves almost cramping simultaneously.

Sasaki would come out for the fifth inning, but was knocked out of the inning by the first batter, Starling Marte, after he hit a double off Sasaki's fastball. 

Roberts once more approached the mound for Sasaki, but it would prove to be the last time of the game. 

Sasaki cleared the air on his command issues in the third, stating that, while working on his sinker in the third inning, it threw off his mechanics. 

Mechanically, it threw off his arm slot throughout his delivery, and it caused his forearm to over-pronate. 

Despite accumulating a rough-looking 13.50 ERA thus far in spring, Sasaki added that he is not discouraged with his results. 

And he shouldn't be discouraged with his results, as a Dodgers late offensive explosion propelled them to a 10-4 win. 

"From the standpoint of results, I’m glad this was spring training. If I’m able to pitch the entire season, I don’t think anyone will remember spring training," Sasaki said through his interpreter on what he thought of his spring results. 

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