Dodger Details: Roki Sasaki's progress remains uneven

Roki Sasaki allowed two runs over four innings with six strikeouts and five walks in the Dodgers' 5-2 loss, and Emmet Sheehan showed increased velocity after a mechanical adjustment that included a glove tap, averaging 95.2 mph on his fastball.

Roki Sasaki's latest start for the Dodgers was a mixed outing in a 5-2 loss to the Texas Rangers. He worked four innings and showed both swing-and-miss ability and control problems. The organization has kept him in the big leagues to continue his development while he adapts to a starter's routine. Several recurring issues—fastball command, negative counts and a diminished feel for his forkball—have shaped his early-season results. Key details: - Sasaki faced 22 batters, recorded a career-best six strikeouts and issued five walks in his four-inning appearance. - He fell behind in counts 13 times and allowed at least one baserunner in each inning he pitched. - Sasaki's ERA is reported at 6.23 through three regular-season starts, and his first 11 big-league starts yielded a 5.13 ERA. - Emmet Sheehan worked on timing and used a glove-tap cue in his delivery; he averaged 95.2 mph on his fastball over six innings, up from 93.8 mph in his first two starts. - Kyle Tucker went 2-for-13 in the recent series, with an OPS of .659 through 15 games and an increased chase rate and strikeout rate reported at 22.6 percent compared with 14.7 percent in 2025. Summary: The Dodgers are balancing player development and game outcomes as some pitchers show clear progress while others continue to work through inconsistencies. Sasaki's start highlighted his ability to miss bats alongside persistent command issues, and Sheehan's mechanical adjustment produced a measurable velocity increase. Undetermined at this time.