The reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers pitching rotation is about to get a big lift. On Friday, coveted Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki announced that he will play for the Dodgers.
The 23-year-old announced on Instagram that he is signing a minor league contract with the organization. Saski’s Japanese team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will receive compensation of the MLB franchise.
Saski is the latest Japanese-born superstar to land in Los Angeles in the past year. Last winter, superstars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto joined the team. Ohtani was exclusively a designated hitter in 2024, but won his third career MVP trophy.
He plans to return to the pitching mound in 2025.
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Roki Sasaki of Japan pitches during a Pool B game against the Czech Republic during the World Baseball Classic at the Tokyo Dome, Japan, March 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman previously said signing Sasaki was considered a “major priority.” Sasaki meeting with the Dodgers earlier this week.
The combination of youth and top talent made Saski a coveted candidate.
WHO IS RÅŒKI SASAKI? WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE JAPANESE PITCHING SENSATION FOR MLB
However, the Dodgers have long been considered the favorites in the race to land the pitcher whose fastball routinely reaches 100 mph. He can also throw an impressive splitter, which increases his potential to become an ace in a pitching rotation.
Roki Sasaki of Team Japan reacts after an out in the third inning against Team Mexico during the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic at the Loan Depot Park on March 20, 2023 in Miami, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty Images)
A long list of MLB clubs provided information about their respective organizations to Saski and his agent during baseball winter meetings in December.
Roki Sasaki of the Chiba Lotte Marines throws during a game against the Orix Buffaloes in Chiba, near Tokyo, April 10, 2022. (Kyodo News via AP, file)
Although several of these teams were given face-to-face meetings, only three organizations made the shortlist. In January the Toronto blue jaysSan Diego Padres and Dodgers were the last teams to qualify.
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The Dodgers’ projected pitching rotation already consisted of Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw. Blake Snella two-time Cy Young Award winner, also signed with LA earlier this season.
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