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The Dodgers signed Roki Sasaki, enhancing their rotation after a World Series win, aiming for a strong 2025 season.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have made a significant addition to their pitching staff by signing Japanese right-hander Roki Sasaki on a minor league contract. This move, announced via an Instagram post on January 17, 2025, comes after Sasaki evaluated offers from several MLB teams, including the San Diego Padres, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Yankees.

Sasaki boasts an impressive track record, highlighted by a perfect game against the Orix Buffaloes in April 2022, where he struck out 19 batters, including a record-setting 13 consecutive strikeouts. In the 2024 season, he achieved a career-high 10 wins against five losses, posting a remarkable 2.35 ERA over 18 games. His overall record with the Lotte Marines stands at 29-15, with a stellar 2.10 ERA across four seasons. Despite facing injury challenges, Sasaki has developed an effective slider to complement his fastball and splitter.

Joining the Dodgers, who are fresh off a World Series victory, Sasaki will enhance an already formidable rotation that includes fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. The current rotation options for the Dodgers feature Ohtani, Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yamamoto, Tony Gonsolin, River Ryan, Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan, Landon Knack, Dustin May, and Justin Wrobleski, with the potential return of Clayton Kershaw.

With projections indicating a strong performance for the 2025 season, the Dodgers are expected to maintain their competitive edge, aiming for a win-loss record of 98-64 and a winning percentage of .605 based on 2024 statistics. This strategic signing of Roki Sasaki is poised to bolster the Dodgers` pitching depth as they look to defend their championship title. For more details, check out the Dodgers` announcement and the projected standings.

#Dodgers,#RokiSasaki,#MLB,#Baseball,#Pitching