Andrew Friedman Explains Why Dodgers are Keeping Roki Sasaki in Majors — For Now

Los Angeles Dodgers fans may be frustrated with the up-and-down performances of pitcher Roki Sasaki in 2026 , but president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman is calling for patience.

Speaking with Katie Woo of The Athletic , he indicated that despite calls for Sasaki to be sent down to the minors to further develop, his time in the majors is an investment in the team’s future.

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So while some may be calling for change now, it’s in the team’s best interest to stay the course, he explained.

“I 100 percent appreciate and get that right now, fans don’t care at all about three years from now or five years from now,” Friedman said. “But when we get there, they definitely will. So it’s incumbent upon us to do everything we can to maximize the now, while also doing everything we can to put ourselves in the best position in the future, as well.”

Roki Sasaki develops best when facing top-level competition, Friedman says

Many Dodgers fans are willing to give Sasaki some time to develop, but they want to see him do so at the minor-league level.

Friedman, however, believes Sasaki needs to compete against top-level talent.

“The feedback he gets from major-league hitters is really important,” Friedman said. “This is a really talented pitcher who, when delivery and throw and everything is synced up, can really spot a fastball. We haven’t seen that as much here and now. Some of that’s the ball. Some of it may be giving hitters too much credit. Some of it may be the delivery, but those are all things that him facing the best of the best, helps us get there.”

This decision could change

As Woo told the “Foul Territory” show , the Dodgers could change their minds as the playoffs get closer.

“But this is May, guys, and the Dodgers believe that this is the best course of action for the long-term of Sasaki’s career,” she said. “Finding and developing starting pitchers continues to be one of the hardest things you can do in the game, so the Dodgers aren’t simply going to punt on who they believe could be a superstar in the rotation even if Sasaki isn’t showing it right now.”