Dodgers’ 2 biggest flops to begin 2026 MLB season

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Dodgers’ 2 biggest flops to begin 2026 MLB season

Joey Mistretta, ClutchPoints · ClutchPoints

Thu, Apr 9, 2026 ·

3 min read

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The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing a quality brand of baseball as expected. LA is currently 9-3 and they lead the National League West. It is safe to say that the Dodgers have started the season like many people around the MLB world expected them to. However, some players on the team have struggled early in 2026.

Without further ado, here are two Dodgers' flops to begin the new campaign.

Roki Sasaki

Sasaki was expected by many to become a star in MLB when he joined the Dodgers a season ago. Aside from a strong performance out of the bullpen in the postseason, Sasaki has struggled for the most part at the big league level.

Through two starts in 2026, the right-handed pitcher has recorded a 7.00 ERA. Sasaki has struck out nine hitters and walked five across nine innings of work.

His fastball is still in the 87th percentile for velocity. Overall, he ranks in the 76th percentile for average exit velocity. Walks have been a concern, though, as he is in the 32nd percentile in base-on-balls percentage. Additionally, Sasaki is in the 29th percentile for barrel percentage.

In other words, he isn't always giving up hard contact. When batters do get pitches to hit, though, they aren't missing them. And with runners on base due to walks, Sasaki hasn't been able to limit the damage on a consistent enough basis.

It is worth remembering that Sasaki is only 24 years old. He is only beginning his second MLB season. The Dodgers pitcher could certainly turn things around. With that being said, his start to the season has not gone according to plan.

Emmet Sheehan

Sheehan is another young pitcher with a high ceiling. The 26-year-old has been unable to find a rhythm at the big league level, however.

Sheehan displayed signs of potential in 2025. So far in 2026, though, the right-hander has pitched to an 8.00 ERA over two starts. He has struck out eight hitters and walked five in nine innings on the mound.

Sheehan is also having trouble with command of his pitches. He ranks in the 36th percentile for walk percentage. Sheehan is in the 34th percentile for barrel percentage. Additionally, Sheehan's velocity isn't as impressive as Sasaki's, so he needs command to find any level of success.

He does rank in the 94th percentile for breaking run value. In other words, his offspeed pitches are effective, but he needs to work on finding the strike zone on a more consistent basis.

Concern level for Sasaki, Sheehan?

Both Sasaki and Sheehan are young pitchers with high ceilings. However, there is more concern with Sheehan than Sasaki right now.

Sheehan made his MLB debut back in 2023. While he has been limited by injuries in his career, he is failing to take advantage of a tremendous opportunity to earn a rotation spot for the remainder of the season. At 26 years old, one would imagine that the Dodgers would be more likely to either trade or move Sheehan to the bullpen than Sasaki.

Sasaki, as mentioned, is only 24 years old and he's only pitched in 12 MLB regular season games. Sure, his struggles should not be ignored. However, the Dodgers will likely have more patience with him.

In the end, both Sasaki and Sheehan could end up emerging as stars if they break out of their current slumps. Through the first few weeks of the 2026 season, however, Sasaki and Sheehan have been the Dodgers' biggest flops.

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