As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for the return of two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell later this month, the team faces a tough decision: one of their six current starting pitchers will have to be demoted. With stars like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, and Tyler Glasnow locked into the rotation, the competition for the final two spots comes down to Justin Wrobleski, Emmett Sheehan, and the highly-touted Roki Sasaki.
Based on recent performances, Sasaki appears to be the most likely candidate to be moved out of the rotation when Snell returns. While the Dodgers have consistently stated that they won't send Sasaki to the bullpen or the minors, a brief stint in the minor leagues could actually benefit his long-term development. Dylan Hernandez of the California Post draws a compelling parallel to Hyeseong Kim, who started the 2026 season in the minors. By playing every day there rather than platooning in the majors, Kim was better prepared for success when he was called up on April 5. Since then, he's posted a career-best slash line of .308/.370/.400 with a .770 OPS and a home run in 25 games.
"The Dodgers wanted Kim to play every day in the minors instead of being part of a platoon in the majors. In retrospect, the plan prepared Kim to have the success he is having now," Hernandez wrote. "… the objective should be the same, which is to place Sasaki on a path to realize his potential. Sasaki has a chance to be special, but for him to take 10 steps forward, he might first have to take one back."
According to Hernandez, Sasaki is reportedly open to a minor league assignment if the Dodgers believe it will aid his development. For now, the young pitcher is staying focused on what he can control. "Someone coming in means someone will have to go out, of course. But I have to focus on my own performances, and the importance of throwing the ball well doesn't change regardless of the situation," Sasaki said. His next start is scheduled for Saturday, May 9 against the Atlanta Braves—a key opportunity to prove he belongs in the big leagues.