As excitement grows for Roki Sasaki’s expected transition to Major League Baseball, Shohei Ohtani has commented on speculation that he may be helping the Dodgers in their pursuit of the Japanese pitching star. Sasaki, set to be posted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, is one of the most highly coveted players for the 2025 season. While some believe Ohtani might be influencing Sasaki’s decision, Ohtani has denied any active recruitment, stating that they are simply close friends.
Ohtani emphasized that he respects Sasaki’s choice regarding his MLB destination and believes the young pitcher will excel wherever he signs. Despite Ohtani’s denial, the Dodgers are widely considered the favorites to secure Sasaki, given their strong ties to Japanese players and a proven track record of nurturing international talent. The team already features Ohtani and fellow Japanese star Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
If Sasaki joins, his elite performance in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (including a 2.10 career ERA and 505 strikeouts) would further strengthen the Dodgers’ already impressive roster. Factors like Los Angeles’ player development system, media reach, and Sasaki’s connections with Ohtani and Yamamoto from their championship-winning 2023 World Baseball Classic team add to the Dodgers’ appeal.