Roki Sasaki was denied by the Dodgers to compete in the upcoming WBC with Japan, and he had a lackluster outing on Wednesday.

It was just one spring start, the first of several to come. But these games that are meaningless in the big picture could be of some consequence to Roki Sasaki.

PHOENIX — No translation was required for Hyeseong Kim’s appraisal of Roki Sasaki’s new slider. “Good,” Kim said in English. Good enough for the Korean infielder to swing at the pitch and miss in a live batting practice session against Sasaki on Saturday.

Renowned Muralist Robert Vargas known for his iconic mural of Shohei Ohtani has designed a new landmark mural to honor

The Dodgers look to remain undefeated this spring, as they are on the road take on the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Roki Sasaki makes his spring debut against right-hander Zac Gallen.

Dodgers fans don’t need to be convinced that Roki Sasaki’s ceiling is unfair. They need to be convinced that the floor isn’t going to randomly cave in again. Th