![Roki Sasaki clicked while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers [Image via Imagn]](https://collegefootballnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/dodgers-gm-offers-crucial-roki-01-29-26-1920x1280.jpg "Dodgers Spring Training Buzz: Roki Sasaki Locked Into Rotation Before Camp Break; River Ryan, Tanner Scott Impress In Strong Outings")
LA Dodgers ace Roki Sasaki’s role received clarity on Tuesday following his rookie year in MLB, where he first started as a starting pitcher, but when he returned after injury, he was made to pitch out of the bullpen.
Meanwhile, River Ryan and Tanner Scott are coming off excellent outings in a recent Spring Training game.
Roki Sasaki Locked Into Rotation Before Camp Break
Roki Sasaki has given the Dodgers a headache with his uneven start to Spring Training. On Tuesday afternoon in the Spring Training game against the Cleveland Guardians, Sasaki faced five hitters without recording an out in the first inning. After he gave up three walks and a grand slam to Kyle Manzardo, he was taken out by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Sasaki reentered for the second inning, which is allowed in Spring Training, and shut down three hitters in a row with two strikeouts. He returned for the third inning and once again shut down three hitters in a row.
Sasaki said that his first-inning troubles were more because of a mechanical issue that affected his command of the fastball.
“I felt my upper body kind of leaning forward during my first two pitches [of the second], and then I kind of raised up my upper body a little bit, and then my body kind of felt better, and everything just clicked after that,” Sasaki said through an interpreter. “The result’s really bad this time, but my feel and also mechanics kind of matched.”
Dodgers manager Roberts said that it was all part of the learning curve for Sasaki. Roberts is expecting Sasaki to break camp in the rotation but after two underwhelming starts he is not sure the Japanese pitcher is still there yet.
“I think it can change. But I don’t think it’s gonna change before we break,” Roberts said. “Building him up, we see him as a starter, and giving him every opportunity for success. But again, we still gotta coach him up, and he’s still gotta continue to get outs and work ahead like Major League starters do.”
According to Roberts, the team is in no mood to rush and make him a starter come Opening Day.
River Ryan, Tanner Scott Impress In Strong Outings
In the 5-4 win against the Guardians on Tuesday afternoon, Dodgers’ pair of relievers, River Ryan and Tanner Scott, made their mark.
Ryan entered the game in the fourth inning and pitched two scoreless innings, including three strikeouts against one walk. Meanwhile, Scott entered the game after him in the sixth inning and threw one inning, in which he gave up a hit and a walk along with two strikeouts.
Both these relievers are expected to make the Opening Day roster for the Dodgers.
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