{"id":958013,"date":"2026-07-25T08:59:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-25T08:59:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/958013\/"},"modified":"2026-07-25T08:59:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-25T08:59:42","slug":"roki-sasakis-recent-mechanics-change-reaping-benefits-for-dodgers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/958013\/","title":{"rendered":"Roki Sasaki’s recent mechanics change reaping benefits for Dodgers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NEW YORK\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Dodgers<\/a> right-hander Roki Sasaki<\/a> had an explanation for why his glove looks so much bigger than it did when he appeared to be tipping pitches against the San Diego Padres at the beginning of the month.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably my face kind of got smaller,\u201d Sasaki said through interpreter Kensuke Okubo after the Dodgers\u2019 4-2 win<\/a> over the New York Mets on Friday. \u201cThat\u2019s why the glove looked bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n

Well played, Sasaki.<\/p>\n

He claimed the glove was \u201cabout the same size,\u201d and that he doesn\u2019t think he was tipping three weeks ago. But whether it was a change of glove or face size, the adjustment seems to have worked.<\/p>\n

So has the lower-half mechanical change that he made over the All-Star break. He held the Mets to just three hits, including a solo homer from Luis Robert Jr. that accounted for the only run Sasaki surrendered. He threw seven innings for the third time this season.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought his last start, he was fantastic, and [Friday] I think was even better,\u201d manager Dave Roberts<\/a> said. \u201cJust keep stacking good outings. He had a good run in May. Let\u2019s keep building on this.\u201d<\/p>\n

The extra velocity that Sasaki mustered in his last start against the New York Yankees<\/a> \u2014 when he surpassed 101 mph in a regular season game for the first time in his MLB career \u2014 didn\u2019t make an encore against the Mets (43-61).<\/p>\n

Instead, Sasaki leaned on his splitter, throwing it 47% of the time, compared to his season average of 26%.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I throw off a new mound like today, velo is usually a little down,\u201d Sasaki said. \u201cSo if I\u2019m able to repeat, I think I will have more confidence and keep attacking more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adding this version of his splitter, which is firmer and looks like a fastball coming out of his hand, was a turning point for Sasaki earlier this season.<\/p>\n

\"Kyle <\/p>\n

Kyle Tucker follows through on a two-run home run for the Dodgers in the eighth inning of a 4-2 win Friday night over the New York Mets.<\/p>\n

(Jim McIsaac \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n

On Friday, it had an impressive 60% whiff rate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt just started out as a strike,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd obviously the threat of velocity he has, so now if he can get that split starting in the same window, it\u2019s hard to lay off that pitch.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers tied the score 1-1 in the fourth inning. Freddie Freeman, who finished with three hits, led with a single. Mookie Betts<\/a> matched him, then Miguel Rojas stayed back on a changeup and sent it to deep right field for a sacrifice fly.<\/p>\n

They didn\u2019t put multiple runners on again until the seventh inning. This time, Shohei Ohtani<\/a> was the one to read the situation and deliver a go-ahead sacrifice fly.<\/p>\n

Kyle Tucker<\/a>\u2019s two-run homer in the eighth provided the Dodgers some insurance they would end up using when Evan Phillips gave up a solo homer to Francisco Alvarez in the bottom of the inning. It was Tucker\u2019s first home run since June 27.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a long season,\u201d Tucker said. \u201cYou\u2019ve just got to do your best at forgetting what happened in previous at-bats and previous games and just move on. So it can be tough at times. But you\u2019ve just got to do your best at that and just keep going out there and keep the line moving offensively and just do your best.\u201d<\/p>\n

Injury updates \"\" <\/p>\n

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow<\/a> (back spasms) has progressed to the live batting practice phase of his rehab progression, Roberts said. It\u2019s a promising sign for a pitcher who twice had to shut down throwing early in his rehab when he aggravated the injury.<\/p>\n

Closer Edwin D\u00edaz<\/a> (arthroscopic elbow surgery) came out well from throwing on back-to-back days in a triple A rehab assignment.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talked about him flying across the country; doesn\u2019t make a lot of sense,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cSo I think he\u2019s supposed to pitch on Sunday, and then if that goes well, he should be back with us when we get back on Tuesday.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Dodgers begin a six-game homestand Tuesday, against the Seattle Mariners and Boston Red Sox.<\/p>\n

Catcher Will Smith<\/a>\u2019s timeline to return from a neck injury remains unclear, after the Dodgers temporarily shut him down from baseball activities, beginning around the All-Star break.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s pain free,\u201d Roberts. \u201cHe\u2019s getting back into being more active.\u201d<\/p>\n

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