PHOENIX –– Despite his shaky start to spring training, the Dodgers have been steadfast about havingRoki Sasakiin their opening day rotation.
On Tuesday afternoon, in a performance that Dodgers officials described as “electric,” the Japanese phenom finally started to validate that faith.
It was only a backfield B-game at Camelback Ranch. He was only facing minor-leaguers from the Chicago White Sox organization. But in a scoreless four-inning outing in which he allowed just one hit and struck out nine batters, Sasaki showed why manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed him asa virtual rosterlock for the start of the season earlier in the morning.
“I just don’t see a world where he doesn’t break (camp) with us as a starter,” Roberts said in his pregame address with reporters, before later adding: “I’m betting on the performance to continue to trend up, to be good enough (to be in the rotation), and to only get better with the talent that he has and the work that he’s put in.”
The fact Sasaki was relegated on Tuesday to backfield duty –– where he pitched against a White Sox lineup full of mostly double-A caliber talent, and in front of only a smattering of fans, team officials, scouts and autograph hounds –– was a reflection of therough form he’d shown at the start of camp.
In each of his first two Cactus League starts, the 24-year-old right-hander had struggled to command his pitches, and his fastball especially, allowing a combined seven runs and five walks in just 3 ⅓ innings.
Even worse, his inefficient workload had complicated his primary objective this spring, needing to build up innings in his return to a starting role following last postseason’s cameo as emergency closer.
Thus, the Dodgers decided to stick Sasaki with the minor-leaguers on Tuesday, whileTyler Glasnowgot the start in the team’s main game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Roberts described the decision as a way to ensure Sasaki would get through four innings, given the more controlled environment a B-game allows.
Still, it also felt like a chance for the Dodgers to take some pressure off the second-year fireballer, and shield him from the spotlight as he continues to refine his delivery.
Source: California Post – Breaking California News, Photos & Videos
