A Japanese baseball pitcher in mid-windup, intense focus, wearing a Chiba Lotte Marines uniform, dynamic action, photorealistic, hero lighting.
A Japanese baseball pitcher in mid-windup, intense focus, wearing a Chiba Lotte Marines uniform, dynamic action, photorealistic, hero lighting.

Roki Sasaki: The Japanese Pitching Phenom

Roki Sasaki, born November 3, 2001, is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) from 2021 to 2024. Known for his exceptional pitching talent, Sasaki has garnered international attention for his remarkable achievements and potential.

Early Career and NPB Success

Sasaki began his professional career with the Chiba Lotte Marines in 2021. He quickly established himself as one of the most promising pitchers in Japanese baseball history. On April 10, 2022, he achieved legendary status by pitching a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes, striking out 19 batters - the most in NPB perfect game history. Remarkably, this came just 11 days after he had thrown eight perfect innings in his previous start.

His dominance continued throughout the 2022 season, where he posted a 1.78 ERA with 173 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched. Sasaki's combination of elite velocity - regularly throwing over 100 mph - and devastating splitter made him nearly unhittable when at his best.

Transition to Major League Baseball

In January 2025, Sasaki signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, joining fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Due to MLB regulations for international players under 25, he was required to sign a minor league deal initially.

MLB Debut and Early Performance

Sasaki made his MLB debut on March 19, 2025, during the MLB Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. In his debut appearance, he allowed one run on one hit and five walks while striking out three batters. His first MLB strikeout was against fellow Japanese player Seiya Suzuki. He secured his first major league win on May 3 against the Atlanta Braves.

Injury and Rehabilitation

On May 13, 2025, Sasaki was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right shoulder impingement. The Dodgers later transferred him to the 60-day injured list on June 20. By July, he had resumed throwing bullpen sessions and was reported to be pain-free, with a potential return projected for late August. In September, during a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Sasaki struck out eight batters in what was considered a potential final rehab start before returning to the major league roster.

Return and Postseason Contribution

Sasaki was activated from the injured list on September 24, 2025, transitioning to a relief pitcher role for the remainder of the season. He made two relief appearances in September, compiling a 1-1 record with a 4.46 ERA, 28 strikeouts, and 22 walks over eight starts before his injury. Notably, he recorded his first professional save during the opening game of the 2025 National League Division Series against the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching in three games and contributing significantly to the Dodgers' postseason efforts.

Pitching Arsenal

Sasaki possesses one of the most impressive pitching arsenals in baseball:

Personal Life

In February 2025, Sasaki announced his marriage to a woman he described as kind and supportive. He shared that he felt at ease with her and looked forward to their future together.

Legacy and Future Outlook

As of late 2025, Sasaki continues to be a valuable asset to the Dodgers, contributing both as a starter and reliever. His combination of elite velocity, devastating secondary pitches, and youth make him one of the most exciting pitching prospects in recent memory. Many baseball analysts project him to develop into an ace-level starter once he fully adapts to MLB competition and maintains consistent health.

Sasaki's journey from NPB sensation to MLB contributor represents the continuing globalization of baseball and the increasing pipeline of Japanese talent making significant impacts in the major leagues.

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