The Los Angeles Dodgers may soon be forced to make one of the most shocking decisions of the 2026 MLB season — sending Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki down to the minor leagues.
Just months after entering the year with enormous expectations, Sasaki is suddenly at the center of growing criticism across baseball as his struggles continue to raise serious concerns inside and outside the Dodgers organization.
Coming into the season, many believed Sasaki would become one of the faces of baseball in Los Angeles. The electric right-hander arrived with superstar hype after dominating in Japan and helping the Dodgers during their World Series run last postseason.
Fans expected overpowering fastballs, unhittable splitters, and ace-level dominance.
Instead, the 2026 season has quickly turned into a nightmare.
Through his first six starts, Sasaki has posted a troubling 5.97 ERA while struggling badly with command, consistency, and pitch efficiency.
Multiple outings have unraveled after the second inning, and opposing hitters appear increasingly comfortable against him as games progress.
The frustration surrounding Sasaki exploded again after another difficult performance, leading several analysts to openly suggest that the Dodgers should send him to Triple-A Oklahoma City before things spiral further.
What makes the situation even more complicated is timing.
Two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell is now nearing his long-awaited return from injury, creating a serious rotation crunch for manager Dave Roberts.
With Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Shohei Ohtani all expected to remain locked into rotation spots, somebody may soon have to move aside.
And right now, many around baseball believe Sasaki is the obvious candidate.
Sports Illustrated reporter Dylan Hernandez recently argued that the Dodgers should prioritize Sasaki’s long-term future over short-term pressure and allow him to rebuild confidence in the minors instead of continuing to struggle under the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Perhaps the most surprising part of the entire situation is Sasaki’s own response.
Rather than rejecting the idea, the 24-year-old reportedly admitted he would accept a minor league assignment if the organization believed it was best for his development.
That revelation stunned many Dodgers fans.
Across social media, reactions have been divided. Some supporters believe the Dodgers are risking Sasaki’s confidence by leaving him in MLB while he continues to struggle.
Others argue that elite talent only develops against elite competition and that Los Angeles should remain patient with one of the most gifted young pitchers in baseball.
Still, the pressure is becoming impossible to ignore.
Sasaki’s raw talent remains undeniable. His fastball velocity is still elite, and flashes of brilliance continue to appear throughout games. Over his last few starts, there have even been signs of improvement with his control and mechanics.
But for a Dodgers team chasing a historic third straight World Series title, patience may be running thin.
Los Angeles is built to win immediately. Every rotation spot matters. Every game matters. And with veterans returning from injury, the Dodgers may no longer have the luxury of allowing Sasaki to learn through struggles at the major league level.
The difficult reality is that the Dodgers are no longer simply developing a prospect — they are trying to protect a championship dynasty.
What also makes this story emotional for many fans is how quickly the narrative has changed. Just last postseason, Sasaki looked fearless out of the bullpen during October baseball. He delivered dominant innings, recorded multiple saves, and appeared destined to become the next international superstar in Dodger blue.
Now, less than a year later, his future role is suddenly uncertain.
Some insiders believe a temporary reset in Triple-A could actually help Sasaki rediscover himself away from national attention.
Others think the Dodgers should move him back into a bullpen role where he previously thrived during the playoffs.
For now, Dave Roberts and the Dodgers continue publicly supporting Sasaki. But behind the scenes, one of the toughest roster decisions of the season appears to be approaching fast.
And if Blake Snell returns healthy within the next two weeks, the baseball world may soon witness a move that once seemed completely unimaginable: Roki Sasaki being sent out of the Dodgers rotation — and possibly out of the major leagues entirely.