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Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Robert showered starting pitcher Roki Sasaki with praise after his B-team outing against the Chicago White Sox minor leaguers.
While the Dodgers played against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Cactus League, Sasaki pitched four innings against a White Sox minor league team in an outing to build his confidence back.
In the outing, Sasaki was lights out, giving up just one hit, racking up nine strikeouts on 59 pitches, with 40 strikes and 17 whiffs generated as well.
According to Fabian Ardaya, Sasaki gave off a hit to the leadoff hitter, then proceeded to strike out seven straight players, using a mix of his fastball and forkball.
Sasaki, per Roberts, will be a part of the starting rotation, especially with injuries to Blake Snell and Gavin Stone.
“I’m betting on the performance to trend up,” Roberts told reporters.
Snell is taking his preparation quite slowly in the offseason, focusing on easing himself into the season, rather than rushing and risking an injury.
Stone, who went through serious shoulder surgery, had a setback that resulted in him stopping throwing the ball.
Given the pressure and need for Sasaki to be good as soon as possible, it is encouraging that he is making progress on the mound.
Roberts was glowing in his remarks about how Sasaki pitched against the minor leaguers, calling the reports of his performance “electric” since he did not watch it in person while managing the team against the D-Backs.
“Couldn’t have asked for a better day,” he said. “But still, the split still plays to hitters if it’s on the plate. The fastball, if it’s commanded, still plays.
“There’s still value to getting hitters out and seeing guys swing and miss. We accomplished what we wanted to today, built him up. Obviously built in some confidence. So just go from there.”
Sasaki’s reaction to his outing
After a positive session, the righty seemed to pinpoint the main factor in his success.
“All about mechanics – if my mechanics are really good, I think my command is good too,” Sasaki said through an interpreter.
“I’ve kept doing the same adjustments I made last time, and also I actually added a few more adjustments in different spots,” Sasaki said through an interpreter. “They made me move better.”
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