Dodgers Stick With Roki Sasaki In Rotation Plans Even After Blake Snell Returns

The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for a significant rotation adjustment as veteran left-hander Blake Snell works his way back from an early-season injury, but manager Dave Roberts has made clear that the team’s plans for young right-hander Roki Sasaki will not include a bullpen move. Speaking ahead of Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers, Roberts reaffirmed Sasaki’s role as a starter moving forward.

The decision comes amid ongoing speculation about whether Sasaki could shift to a relief role after a difficult start to his MLB campaign. The 24-year-old has struggled to find consistency through his first appearances this season.

Despite those challenges, the Dodgers continue to view Sasaki as a long-term rotation piece with significant upside. His early struggles have not altered the organization’s broader developmental plan.

With Snell nearing a return, Los Angeles will soon have to balance a crowded rotation featuring several high-profile arms.

1. Dodgers Commit To Sasaki As Starter

Roberts addressed Sasaki’s role directly, shutting down the idea of a bullpen transition for the young pitcher. His comments made clear that the organization intends to continue developing Sasaki as a starter. That stance reflects the Dodgers’ long-term approach, prioritizing development over short-term role changes despite uneven early results. Sasaki has posted a 7.00 ERA across his first two starts of the season, a continuation of early struggles that began during his transition to Major League Baseball. In 2025, he recorded a 4.46 ERA across 10 appearances, showing flashes of potential but lacking sustained consistency on the mound.

2. Bullpen Success Fuels External Debate

Much of the speculation surrounding Sasaki’s role stems from his strong postseason performance out of the bullpen in 2025. During that run, he delivered a 0.84 ERA across nine relief appearances. That dominant stretch raised questions about whether he might be better suited to shorter outings rather than a traditional starter workload. However, the Dodgers have consistently emphasized his long-term projection as a frontline starter, citing his pitch arsenal and development trajectory. While the bullpen success is notable, the organization appears focused on allowing him to work through growing pains in a starting role.

3. Rotation Depth Creates Internal Competition

The return of Snell will add another high-end arm to an already deep rotation that includes multiple Cy Young-caliber talents. His presence significantly raises the level of internal competition for starts. Yoshinobu Yamamoto remains a central figure in the rotation, giving Los Angeles another elite option at the top of the staff. With multiple established starters and emerging arms, the Dodgers face the challenge of managing workloads while maintaining performance across a long season. Despite the depth, the organization remains confident that Sasaki can develop into a reliable starter if given consistent opportunities.