Roki Sasaki (24) of the Los Angeles Dodgers faced early withdrawal in his debut game in the U.S., leading to controversy as he did not hand the ball to manager Dave Roberts.

Sasaki started the game against the Detroit Tigers on the 30th (Korean time) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, pitching 1⅔ innings, allowing 3 hits, 4 walks, striking out 2, and giving up 2 earned runs.

In the first inning, after allowing a hit to lead-off batter Jack McKinstry, Sasaki struck out Riley Greene, but then allowed a hit to Spencer Torkelson, creating a 1 out, 1st and 2nd base crisis. After getting Kerry Carpenter to pop out to the shortstop, Sasaki walked Colt Keith, then allowed a 1-RBI hit to Manuel Margot, giving up the first run. Shortly after, he permitted a bases-loaded walk to Trey Sweeney, leading to an additional run. Jake Rogers grounded out to third base, and that concluded a challenging first inning for Sasaki.

In the second inning, lead-off hitter Ryan Kreidler reached second base on a walk and a wild pitch, putting Sasaki in a no outs, 2nd base crisis. Sasaki struck out McKinstry and got Greene to pop out to shortstop, but then walked Torkelson again. Ultimately, Sasaki recorded 61 pitches and was replaced by Jack Dreyer, finishing his appearance for the day. Despite Sasaki's early withdrawal, the Dodgers' batting lineup shone, winning 7-3 and extending their season-opening winning streak to 5 games.

Sasaki made his Major League debut on the 19th in a Tokyo Series game against the Chicago Cubs at Tokyo Dome, recording 3 innings, allowing 1 hit, 5 walks, striking out 3, and giving up 1 earned run, concluding his debut with somewhat disappointing results. Sasaki hoped for a rebound in his debut in the U.S., but he struggled with walks once again and was unable to complete the second inning. When he was replaced, manager Roberts came up to the mound himself, but instead of handing the ball to the manager, Sasaki threw it to the ballboy next to the third base dugout and left the mound, causing some controversy.

The Japanese media outlet Daily Sports reported, "Dodgers' Roki Sasaki was pulled early after giving up 2 earned runs. The control issues highlighted during his first Major League game in the Tokyo Series persisted in this game. There was also a controversial moment. In Major League Baseball, it is customary for the pitcher to hand the ball directly to the manager when being replaced, but Sasaki threw the ball to the ballboy before descending from the mound. His head hung low as he walked off, clearly reflecting the struggles of his outing that day."

Regarding Sasaki not handing the ball to the manager, Roberts noted, "(Sasaki) just didn't give the ball. It wasn't disrespectful behavior. However, he was focused on trying to hear what I was saying."

After being pulled, Sasaki did not watch how the runners he left on base fared and disappeared behind the dugout. Manager Roberts followed Sasaki, and both returned to the dugout afterward. Roberts explained the situation at the time, saying, "I just wanted to talk to him. I simply told Sasaki, 'That was enough for today.'"

"Sasaki just wants to pitch well," Roberts said, adding, "He only knows success, so he must feel shaken and disappointed. However, a player must be professional and fulfill their role. Struggling in two consecutive games isn’t unusual. All of this is part of the growth process, and a good team like ours needs him."

[OSEN]