Tuesday, February 25, 2025
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2025
On a picturesque Tuesday afternoon at Camelback Ranch, the Dodger pitchers were busy. Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki impressed everyone. So far this spring training, the Dodgers can’t control the running game. The Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Seattle Mariners 11-to-5.
Earlier today, Roki Sasaki pitched to the Chicago White Sox on the back fields and demonstrated an impressive performance. He allowed one hit, which was a home run, but he is on schedule to start in Japan.
Blake Snell looked great in his Dodger spring training debut. He perhaps used more pitches than he and the Dodgers wanted, but he used all his stellar pitches. He had good control.
Entering the offseason, every Dodger fan should have wanted their favorite team to sign the best left-handed starter available on the free-agent market. On November 30th, the Dodgers signed Snell to a 5-year $182 million deal. Snell is an important piece in the Dodger starting rotation since he is the only left-handed pitcher until Clayton Kershaw returns.
At 32, Snell has won two Cy Young awards, one in the American League and one in the National League. He is famous for pitching better after the All-Star break than in the first half. Last year with the San Francisco Giants, Snell threw a no-hitter in August.
During his major league career starting in 2016, Snell had an undeserved reputation for a fragile starter. Snell hasn’t had an arm injury. Since he is a strikeout pitcher, he uses many pitches per inning. Therefore, he seldom goes past the fifth inning. In the Dodger starting rotation, this is not a problem since the Dodgers want to prevent pitching injuries. If Snell can be healthy and effective for the entire season, the Dodgers will be delighted.
Coming off serious surgery to repair an important sports hernia in November, Miguel Rojas has been impressive. Since Mookie Betts has been playing shortstop, Rojas has played third base and second base and performed fantastically offensively. If he continues, the Dodgers will have to find a place to play Rojas on Opening Day in Japan.
