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Roki Sasaki’s introduction to the Cactus League was a dominant one.

The Dodgers phenom struck out five over three scoreless innings in his spring training debut on Tuesday night in a 4-2 win over the Reds at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.

Sasaki, 23, pitched behind Yoshinobu Yamamoto, entering in the fifth inning against the Reds.

Roki Sasaki strikes out 5 in his #SpringTraining debut. pic.twitter.com/RWUPHApuFS

— MLB (@MLB) March 5, 2025


  Roki Sasaki throws a pitch during the Dodgers’ 4-2 exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Roki Sasaki throws a pitch during the Dodgers’ 4-2 exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

He did put two runners on with one out (single, hit by pitch) before shutting down the threat with consecutive strikeouts against TJ Friedl and Matt McClain.

Sasaki, who threw 46 pitches in his outing, worked out of a second-and-third jam in the sixth and punctuated his night in the seventh with two more strikeouts, ending things with a punchout of Carlos Jorge.

The Japanese right-hander hit 98 mph or better on 14 occasions and topped out at 99.3.

Sasaki led all pitchers in the contest with eight swings and misses — seven of which came on his splitter.


  Roki Sasaki looks on during the Dodgers’ exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Roki Sasaki looks on during the Dodgers’ exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Sasaki signed with the Dodgers this offseason after a ballyhooed free agency that included the Padres and Blue Jays as finalists.

Sasaki agreed to a minor league contract with Los Angeles in January that included a $6.5 million signing bonus. He was considered an international amateur free agent under Major League Baseball rules, leaving the Pacific League’s Chiba Lotte Marines under the posting system.

Had Sasaki waited two more years, he could have commanded a nine-figure contract as a free agent.


  Roki Sasaki accepts congratulations from his teammates in the dugout during the Dodgers’ exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Roki Sasaki accepts congratulations from his teammates in the dugout during the Dodgers’ exhibition win over the Reds on March 4, 2025. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

For Sasaki, the last few weeks have been pretty eventful, and not just for his MLB debut.

At the end of February, Sasaki made a surprise announcement on Instagram that he had gotten married.

Now, he’s just a few weeks away from trying to help the Dodgers win their second consecutive World Series ring.

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