Sasaki uncertain as Dodgers face Guardians

LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Dodgers enter their first home series of the season against the Cleveland Guardians with a key question hanging over their rotation: Roki Sasaki.

The 23-year-old right-hander, who helped the Dodgers in relief during last year’s postseason championship run, has struggled in his second MLB season as a starter. In four spring training starts, Sasaki allowed at least three runs in each outing, posting a 15.58 ERA over 8 2-3 innings.

Manager Dave Roberts remains committed to Sasaki as the team’s No. 4 starter but acknowledges the pitcher needs to produce at a higher level.

“Right now, we’re going to run him out there,” Roberts said. “It hasn’t been great. The standard needs to be better. He knows that, we know that. Now it’s go time.”

Despite Sasaki’s struggles, he will have a strong Dodgers bullpen and a potent offense behind him. Los Angeles relievers have not allowed a run in three games this season, while hitters have rallied from early deficits to win all three season-opening games.

Two-way star Shohei Ohtani has had a slow start at the plate, hitting just .125 over eight at-bats, but Roberts expressed confidence that Ohtani will rebound.

On the other side, the Guardians are sending rookie left-hander Parker Messick to the mound, making his first start against the Dodgers. Cleveland’s offense has leaned heavily on Chase DeLauter, who has already hit four home runs in the season’s first three games.

As the Dodgers and Guardians meet in L.A, all eyes will be on Sasaki, whose performance could set the tone for the team’s rotation this season.