Roki Sasaki's debut with the Los Angeles Dodgers was less than stellar, as he struggled with control against the Detroit Tigers, leading to his early exit in the second inning. After throwing 61 pitches and issuing four walks, manager Dave Roberts opted for a quick hook to prevent further damage. Sasaki's previous outing against the Chicago Cubs also featured control issues, raising questions about his adaptation to MLB. Despite his impressive background in Japan, his splitter lacked consistency, which is critical for his success.

Catcher Will Smith remains optimistic about Sasaki's potential, emphasizing the importance of a positive mindset and the support of a strong team. While Sasaki expressed a desire to improve quickly, he acknowledged the challenges of adjusting to the major leagues. His next opportunity to bounce back will come this weekend against the Philadelphia Phillies, where the Dodgers are hopeful he will find his footing.