Roki Sasaki Shows Progress in Dodgers Season Debut Despite 4-2 Loss to Guardians

Roki Sasaki made his highly anticipated season debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium, holding the Cleveland Guardians to just one run and four hits over four-plus innings in a 4-2 Dodgers loss, their first of the year.

Sasaki, who struggled with command throughout spring training, began the game with an errant fastball but quickly adjusted. The right-hander delivered an encouraging performance, issuing only two walks while striking out multiple batters. “I actually didn’t have confidence at all before this game started,” Sasaki said through an interpreter after the game, crediting his focus on controlling what he could.

Despite Sasaki’s strong outing, the Dodgers’ offense struggled against Cleveland, failing to score until the ninth inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Sasaki’s perseverance, referencing his bounce-back from last season’s shoulder injury and subsequent dominant postseason run. Roberts expressed hope that Monday’s showing would fuel Sasaki’s confidence moving forward.

The Guardians took advantage during a shaky third inning, notching a run on back-to-back doubles from Austin Hedges and Steven Kwan. Sasaki avoided further trouble by escaping a jam with a key strikeout and lineout. His night concluded in the fifth after reaching 78 pitches; left-hander Tanner Scott and Justin Wrobleski finished the game for Los Angeles, with Wrobleski surrendering three runs in the seventh.

In the ninth, Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker sparked a late rally, scoring on a double from Mookie Betts and later crossing the plate on Freddie Freeman’s groundout. Despite the surge, the Guardians secured the win. The Dodgers, now 3-1 on the season, await improved production from their top hitters. Sasaki is expected to remain part of the rotation as the season progresses.

The Dodgers will continue their home series with Cleveland as Sasaki builds on his season-opening performance.