Having signed with the LA Dodgers last winter, Roki Sasaki has gone on to enjoy a dream rookie season in the big leagues.

Beginning the year as a starting pitcher, Sasaki struggled. He eventually found the perfect role to help the team, however, after manager Dave Roberts tried using him out of the bullpen.

As the Dodgers won back-to-back World Series titles, he chipped in with important contributions in the postseason as his team’s closer.

Ushering in the new year, Sasaki posted a message to Instagram on Wednesday, thanking fans for their support in 2025, and making his intentions clear for 2026.

“Thank you for the 2025 season. To all of the fans, all of your incredible support gave me strength- thank you so much. Also, I am very thankful for everyone who has been there by my side and gave me their full support, even through tough times. I will work very hard to contribute to the team for the entire season next year. See you all next year 👋,” Sasaki posted.

Dodgers executives speak about plans for Roki Sasaki in 2026

After Roki Sasaki impressed out of the bullpen in 2025, many wondered if this meant the Dodgers saw his long-term future with the team as a reliever. Executives Andrew Friedman and Brandon Gomes have since cleared this up, revealing that the organization plans to deploy Sasaki as a starter in 2026.

Friedman had his say on the matter back in November.

“I think for us (using Roki Sasaki as a reliever) was about trying to get his delivery back,” Friedman said. “I feel like we made a lot of progress on that. So for us, we’re definitely viewing him as a starter and a really good one, and we’ll continue to work this offseason and put him in the best position to be ready in Spring Training to help us win again.”

National League Championship Series – Milwaukee Brewers v Los Angeles Dodgers – Game Four – Source: Getty

Gomes, meanwhile, offered his take on Dec. 8’s episode of “Front Office Insights.”

“At that moment, that was Roki’s position to help us win, and he fully embraced it and dominated. And now, to use that as a springboard to go out and be the dominant starter that we feel he can be,” Gomes said.

As the Dodgers go all out for a historic three-peat in 2026, fans will be hoping Roki Sasaki continues making important contributions to the team’s success.