The Los Angeles Dodgers have successfully signed 23-year-old Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki, a move that adds to their already formidable roster featuring stars like Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Sasaki made the announcement on Instagram, expressing the difficulty of his decision but his commitment to proving it was the right choice. The Dodgers were long considered favorites to sign him, fending off competition from the San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays, among others.

With a remarkable 2.10 ERA and 505 strikeouts over four seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball, Sasaki showcased his talent during his stint with Team Japan, helping them win the 2023 World Baseball Classic. His addition significantly enhances the Dodgers' pitching rotation, which already includes two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow. Sasaki's impressive fastball and splitter are expected to provide a substantial boost to the team's postseason aspirations.