In a development that’s already sending ripples through the baseball world, media insider Francys Romero confirmed on December 8, 2025, that Roki Sasaki is on Team Japan’s preliminary roster for the upcoming 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
At 24, Sasaki is no stranger to the WBC spotlight. He contributed in the 2023 tournament, delivering two strong starts for Japan with a 3.52 ERA and 11 strikeouts across 7.2 innings — helping the team secure its third WBC title.
His inclusion on the provisional roster has many expecting him to earn a final spot. According to Romero, there should be no significant obstacles preventing that.
That said — his participation isn’t guaranteed just yet. On one hand, his 2025 season with the Dodgers was a bumpy ride: he spent a considerable portion of the year sidelined with a right shoulder issue and ultimately worked out of the bullpen rather than as a starter. On the other hand, the Dodgers front office has reportedly penciled him back into their 2026 rotation, giving him a chance to re-establish himself as a high-value arm.
This duality — between recovery and potential — has made his WBC status a “delicate” matter. Dave Roberts, manager of the Dodgers, recently characterized the decision to allow pitchers like Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani to participate in an international tournament as “very delicate,” especially after a long MLB season culminating in another World Series title.
Still, the broader context makes Sasaki’s potential inclusion logical. The Dodgers organization has shown strong support for letting their Japanese players compete for their national teams. For Japan, adding a hard-throwing, young righty like Sasaki — already experienced on the WBC stage — boosts their odds of defending their title and maintaining pitching depth.
For Dodgers fans, this announcement carries mixed emotions. On one hand, seeing one of their own pitch for Japan is a point of pride — a testament to the franchise’s global reach and its role in nurturing world-class talent. On the other hand, there’s understandable concern about fatigue or injury risks, especially given Sasaki’s recent shoulder troubles and the long road that lies ahead waiting for the 2026 MLB season.
If Sasaki does make the final WBC roster, it will double as a warm-up and audition for his role in L.A.’s rotation next spring. For a pitcher with triple-digit velocity, a sharp splitter, and a high ceiling still largely untapped in MLB, the WBC could be the stage where he reminds fans — and front-office decision-makers — just how special his talent is.
Leave a Reply