Roki Sasaki’s comeback journey continues to face setbacks, with U.S. media bluntly calling his signing with the Dodgers the “biggest mistake of his career.”

The "Reiwa Monster" Roki Sasaki has hit a rough patch in his attempt to break into the Major Leagues this year. Early in the season, he started 8 games but managed only 1 win, then spent nearly three months on the injured list due to a shoulder injury in May. Although he returned to the mound in August, his form has yet to recover, with his fastest fastball clocked at just 96.6 mph (about 155 km/h), noticeably slower than his peak speed of 100 mph (approximately 161 km/h).

Recently, during rehab games in the minor leagues, Sasaki’s performance has been disappointing, posting an ERA as high as 7.07, far below expectations. Some American media have been ruthless in their criticism, with one reporter bluntly stating that joining the Los Angeles Dodgers “might be the biggest mistake of his career.”

Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times openly stated that the Dodgers currently have a complete roster and no longer require Sasaki’s contributions, highlighting his increasingly difficult situation in MLB. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also admitted after a game, “Roki’s performance hasn’t met the team’s expectations, and there are no plans to bring him back to the majors at this time.” This statement essentially dashes hopes of his anticipated “late-season return.”

Wynston Wilcox from Fansided also wrote that Sasaki’s decision to join the Dodgers was not a wise choice but a high-risk gamble. “The Dodgers are a powerhouse team that aims for the World Series every year; they don’t have the patience to wait for a potential pitcher to gradually regain form.” The article further notes that since suffering a right shoulder impingement injury, Sasaki’s rehab has been troubled, with neither velocity nor pitch effectiveness restored. Coupled with the team’s intense divisional race, he is unlikely to receive extra development time. “He would be better suited to a team willing to give him time and nurture his growth step-by-step, rather than a top-tier club demanding immediate dominant performances.”

Statistics also highlight Sasaki’s struggles. This season, he has started 8 games in the majors with a 1-1 record and a 4.72 ERA. After being placed on the injured list in May and resting for nearly three months, he returned in August and was assigned to Triple-A for adjustments. In 4 starts there, he has pitched only 14 innings, allowing 17 hits and 12 runs (11 earned), striking out 8 but walking 8 as well. His batting average against stands at a high .315, with a WHIP of 1.79, and his record sits at 0-2.

During his time in Japan’s professional league, Sasaki was dubbed the “Reiwa Monster,” having thrown a perfect game in 2022 and reached blazing speeds of 165 km/h, making him a symbol of the new generation of Japanese pitchers. However, in his first year crossing over to MLB, injuries, pressure, and adaptation challenges have emerged one after another. While many watch to see if he can overcome this slump, before regaining his former dominance, he will likely need to endure hardship in the minors and face the pressure of falling short of expectations.