The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ Roki Sasaki had a rollercoaster rookie MLB season. He faced adversity early, transitioning from Japan to the majors while recovering from an injury, before eventually finding his footing and becoming an asset out of the bullpen for the Dodgers en route to a World Series win.

Sasaki had a 1-1 record with an ERA of 4.46 and 28 strikeouts in 10 appearances in the regular season, per StatMuse. The numbers reflected the challenge that Sasaki had during the regular season.

However, it was a different story in the playoffs: The Japanese standout posted an ERA of 0.84, six strikeouts, and three saves in nine postseason appearances last season, per StatMuse.

While Sasaki thrived out of the bullpen, Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes noted that Los Angeles’ plan for the 24-year-old is to be a starting pitcher.

“Starter for sure,” Gomes told WEEI’s Rob Bradford in a Jan. 28 video. “He looks great. Velocity is really good in bullpens. He’s feeling awesome physically [and] continuing to work on the cutter and two‑seam. If he just went fastball‑split, and he could dominate. And as he rounds out the arsenal, it’s going to be really challenging for teams as he gets through the third time in the order.”

Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes Talks Roki Sasaki in Year 2

Moreover, Gomes spotlighted what caused Sasaki to struggle out of the gate. The Dodgers general manager noted that people often forget the challenges that come with making the jump to the majors, the personal life that goes from Japan to the United States, and the culture shift he went through as a player in his early 20s.

“I think there’s an underappreciation of how hard it is to make the jump,” Gomes added. “Never mind baseball. Base aside, just life. There’s a lot that gets thrown at you as guys are moving over.

“We saw it with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and the big difference from Year 1 to Year 2, just from a comfort level. And as accomplished of a pitcher as he possibly can be. So I think I have the same expectations for Roki Sasaki from Year 1 to Year 2, just be able to really just focus on baseball now.”

Roki Sasaki Gets Blunt Warning From Dave Roberts

Meanwhile, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently warned Sasaki that, if he wants to be in the starting rotation, his pitching arsenal needs improvement.

“He needs to develop a third pitch,” Roberts told Dylan Hernandez of The California Post. “It’s going to need to be something that goes left.”

Furthermore, Roberts expressed that he plans to give Sasaki a chance to return to the rotation next season, though that depends on his performance and whether he can develop another pitch. Roberts also noted his confidence that Sasaki will figure out that some adjustment is necessary to succeed as a major league starter.

Sasaki has chosen to skip the World Baseball Classic to focus on his second season in the majors, per World Baseball Network. After a difficult 2025, the break could give him the time needed to expand his pitching arsenal.