Dodgers address Roki Sasaki's pitch‑tipping and mechanics, see improvement

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team investigated Roki Sasaki after a series of poor outings, including a July 2 start against the San Diego Padres in which Sasaki allowed three home runs and saw his ERA rise to 5.40. The coaching staff believed the right‑hander was unintentionally tipping pitches and that some of the cues dated back to his time in Japan. Dodgers staff worked with Sasaki to eliminate those signals and refine his delivery.

Ahead of his next start against the Colorado Rockies, Sasaki reported he had focused on fixing the tipping and on improving pitch quality. The adjustments paid off: after early trouble he settled down, limited Colorado to four hits, and earned a quality six‑inning, three‑run start. Sasaki acknowledged the work on his mechanics and said he will continue to develop his off‑speed pitches.

Roberts described Sasaki’s performance as a sign of progress, noting the pitcher’s inconsistency but emphasizing the importance of execution and competition as the season moves forward.