Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki struggled in his spring training debut, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 1 1/3 innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The 24-year-old right-hander, who is competing for a rotation spot, flashed his power fastball but just 17 of his 36 pitches were strikes.

Sasaki struck out three batters but was hit hard early, surrendering a single to leadoff hitter Geraldo Perdomo and walking Tim Tawa. Nolan Arenado's line-drive double and Ildemaro Vargas' subsequent double gave Arizona a 3-0 lead. After a mound visit from pitching coach Mark Prior, Sasaki struck out Jordan Lawlar and Ryan Waldschmidt to end the first inning.

The lanky Japanese pitcher entered his rookie year with significant fanfare in 2025 but struggled during the regular season, finishing 1-1 with a 4.46 ERA over 36 1/3 innings. He missed more than four months due to a right shoulder impingement but returned in September to become a key bullpen piece during the Dodgers' postseason run, allowing just one earned run over 10 2/3 innings.