Roki Sasaki entered 2026 hoping to carry his relief success from the previous postseason into a starting role with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

During the 2025 postseason, Sasaki recorded an 0.84 ERA and 1.03 WHIP with three saves and two holds in 10.2 innings over nine appearances.

The Japanese right-hander struggled with inconsistency during the first half of this season but began finding his rhythm after the All-Star break following mechanical adjustments.

Sasaki had started improving before injuring his right blister against the Atlanta Braves on Aug. 26. He went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 3.44 FIP in four starts before the injury, recording 26 strikeouts and seven walks in 24 innings.

The right-hander completed at least five innings while allowing no more than two earned runs in three of those four starts.

Sasaki returned during the last week of the regular season and resumed his progress while pitching out of the bullpen.

He finished 5-5 with a 4.49 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 122.1 innings over 26 appearances (23 starts). Sasaki posted a 2.70 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 3.1 innings over three postseason appearances.

His 2026 season resembled a roller coaster, but the Dodgers remain pleased with his development.

According to Dodger Blue, general manager Brandon Gomes said Sasaki provided numerous positive takeaways during his second season with Los Angeles.

Gomes considered Sasaki’s second half exceptional, pointing to an adjustment involving his split-finger pitch as the moment his performance began improving significantly.

He also emphasized that, aside from the blister, Sasaki remained available throughout the season and became one of the Dodgers’ more durable starting pitchers.

Gomes believes Sasaki can build upon his 2025 postseason success and strong stretches this year while continuing to grow, develop and refine his considerable abilities.

“A ton of really positive to take away from it,” Gomes explained. “I thought his second half was incredible. You can kind of look at the time where he made the adjustment with the split finger, and really took off in the second half.

“I think something that doesn’t get talked about enough, with the exception of the blister, he went wire-to-wire and was one of our more durable starting pitchers,” Gomes added.

“So a lot of really good things to take away from. I think building off of his postseason success from last year, and then having a really strong year this year, we only expect him to continue to grow and develop, and refine the really massive skillset that he has,” Gomes concluded.

Sasaki provided stability in the rotation for most of 2026. He ranked second on the Dodgers with 23 starts and third with 122.1 innings pitched, establishing career highs in both categories.

Although he ended the season in the bullpen, Sasaki demonstrated that he could succeed in multiple roles. As a reliever, he allowed only one run in 6.1 innings over six appearances.

Los Angeles has not indicated where Sasaki will pitch next season. With Tarik Skubal’s future uncertain, however, the soon-to-be 25-year-old will presumably return to the rotation.

Sasaki’s adaptability gives the Dodgers several options, but his preparation and willingness to make mechanical changes matter most. He responded to early inconsistency by adjusting rather than abandoning his approach.

His ability to start and relieve also demonstrates composure. Sasaki has already proven capable of dominating from the bullpen, but his pitch mix, durability and continued development give Los Angeles compelling reasons to maximize his upside as a starter.