Dodgers Phenom Roki Sasaki Unveils New Pitch During Injury Rehab, Signaling Even More Dominance Ahead in MLB Return

In a development that could have massive implications for the future of Major League Baseball, Los Angeles Dodgers rookie phenom Roki Sasaki has reportedly added a new pitch to his arsenal while rehabbing from injury—a move that not only speaks to his relentless drive for improvement, but also signals that one of the most hyped pitchers of his generation is preparing to return to the mound even better than before. For Dodgers fans, that’s music to their ears. For opposing hitters, it’s a looming nightmare.

Roki Sasaki, just 23 years old, came into the 2025 MLB season with immense expectations after signing with the Dodgers out of Japan. Heralded as the next great international pitcher, Sasaki’s explosive velocity, pinpoint command, and already devastating pitch mix made him a headliner even before he threw a single pitch in the majors. But injuries temporarily halted what was shaping up to be an electric rookie campaign. Now, with his rehab nearly complete, word has surfaced that the flamethrower has taken his game to another level—not by returning to full health, but by evolving his repertoire.

According to multiple team sources and pitching coaches within the Dodgers’ organization, Sasaki used his time away from competition to experiment with grips, refine mechanics, and develop what is believed to be a brand-new pitch. While the team has not officially confirmed what the pitch is, early reports suggest it could be either a cutter or a variant of a split-changeup—a pitch designed to mirror his already filthy splitter while adding more deception and late movement.

This is no small development. Sasaki’s current arsenal already includes a high-90s fastball that regularly touches triple digits, a jaw-dropping splitter that dives out of the strike zone with elite velocity separation, and a slider that has sharp, late break. To think that a pitcher already considered “unfair” by scouts could be adding another weapon to keep hitters off-balance is both exciting and terrifying, depending on which dugout you’re sitting in.

When asked about his progress during a recent team media session, Sasaki remained characteristically humble. Speaking through a translator, he said, “I’ve been working on staying sharp mentally and physically. While I couldn’t pitch in games, I focused on learning, observing, and trying a few things that I didn’t have time to explore during the season.” Though he didn’t give details on the new pitch, the smirk he gave when asked if he was coming back stronger was telling.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, known for his measured comments on player development, didn’t hide his enthusiasm. “Roki’s rehab has gone exceptionally well. His work ethic, focus, and maturity are beyond his years. And yes, he’s been working on something new. Let’s just say our hitters aren’t looking forward to facing him in practice next week,” Roberts said with a laugh, hinting at the buzz circulating within the organization.

That buzz is very real. Coaches and players have reportedly been stunned by bullpen sessions that featured the new pitch in live batting practice. One unnamed player described it as “a pitch you think you’ve seen before—and then it does something completely different at the last second.” Another said it “comes in looking like a heater and then just disappears,” adding that it might be his most effective pitch yet.

To appreciate what this development means, it’s important to understand the context of Sasaki’s rise. In Japan, he was already a legend. Known as the “Monster of the Reiwa Era,” Sasaki became the youngest pitcher in NPB history to throw a perfect game and followed that with another near-perfect outing in consecutive starts. His fastball sat at 100 mph, his splitter fell off the table, and his poise on the mound was beyond his years. When he made the jump to MLB and signed with the Dodgers, scouts called him “the most complete international pitching prospect since Yu Darvish, if not better.”

The only question was durability. Sasaki entered the league with some mileage concerns due to past minor injuries in Japan. When his current season was interrupted by elbow soreness and tightness in his throwing arm, the Dodgers took a cautious approach, shutting him down early and focusing on long-term health. But rather than using that downtime simply to recover, Sasaki—along with the Dodgers’ elite pitching development staff—chose to evolve.

And this, perhaps, is what separates Sasaki from so many others with electric stuff. He isn’t satisfied with just being overpowering. He wants to be complete. This mindset is what led to the introduction of the new pitch. Rather than waiting for hitters to adjust to him, Sasaki is adjusting before they even get the chance. It’s the mark of a pitcher not just focused on surviving in the league, but on mastering it.

With his return imminent, speculation is swirling about how the Dodgers plan to deploy Sasaki over the final months of the season. The team has been cautious with his workload, hinting that he might be eased back with shorter outings or limited pitch counts. But if the new pitch proves to be as effective in-game as it has in bullpen sessions, it may be difficult to keep him on a leash for long—especially with the Dodgers jockeying for playoff positioning.

The potential postseason implications are enormous. A fully healthy, newly armed Roki Sasaki could be the wild card that tilts a National League series in the Dodgers’ favor. Already loaded with talent, Los Angeles would be adding a near-ace caliber pitcher who hitters have little to no MLB data on—an ideal weapon for high-pressure October baseball. And if he’s throwing five different pitches, including a new mystery pitch, the scouting reports won’t offer much comfort.

The broader MLB landscape is taking notice as well. Analysts across the league are already calling Sasaki’s upcoming return one of the most anticipated storylines of the second half. “If what we’re hearing is true, this could be the start of Sasaki’s true breakout,” said former All-Star pitcher and current analyst CC Sabathia. “He was already special, but if he’s developing pitches like veterans in their 10th year, we’re looking at something really, really scary.”

Even international media has latched onto the news, with Japanese outlets flooding social media with footage of Sasaki’s workouts and speculation about what the new pitch might be. It’s a reminder that Sasaki isn’t just a Dodgers story—he’s a global phenomenon, representing the next wave of elite Japanese talent reshaping Major League Baseball.

For the Dodgers, the timing couldn’t be better. With injuries and inconsistencies affecting the back half of their rotation, Sasaki’s return adds not just depth, but a potential front-line impact arm. More than that, it injects energy, curiosity, and even a little fear into every opponent’s game prep. What pitch is coming next? How do you prepare for someone whose arsenal just keeps expanding?

Roki Sasaki’s return to MLB action was always going to be a big deal. But with the reveal of a new pitch—shrouded in mystery, sharpened in the shadows, and ready to unleash—he’s turned it into something bigger. This isn’t just a comeback. It’s an evolution.

And if history has taught us anything, when Roki Sasaki evolves, baseball changes with him.