Roki Sasaki’s next step with the Dodgers is clear: turn flashes of progress into a full season that earns him a place in the postseason rotation. Charles Davalan, meanwhile, is learning second base as Los Angeles weighs how its crowded roster might make room for its prospect depth.
Sasaki’s case rests on consistency
Sasaki has spent each of his first two major league seasons in the rotation mix, only to move to the bullpen in the playoffs. His ERA barely changed, rising from 4.46 in 2025 to 4.49 in 2026, but that headline number misses a meaningful improvement in workload and several underlying measures.
A shoulder impingement limited him to 36 1/3 innings in 2025. He struck out 17.4% of batters, walked 13.7% and generated ground balls on 38.9% of balls in play—all below league average. A blister cost him some time this year, but he still logged 122 1/3 innings. His strikeout rate climbed to 23.6%, his walk rate fell to 9.2%, and his ground ball rate rose to 42.2%, putting each measure around league average.
The strongest evidence came after the All-Star break: a 2.83 ERA over 41 1/3 innings, with a 25.3% strikeout rate and an 8.8% walk rate. The task now is to sustain that level across a full season. Sasaki told Dylan Hernandez of The New York Post he wants to keep starting and earn a playoff rotation spot through his regular-season performance. “If I can’t do that, I think it would just mean I’m not good enough,” he said.
At 24, Sasaki is still young enough to close the gap between his current results and the ace expectations that followed his 2.10 ERA in Japan. A strong season could move him into the playoff rotation, though Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are established competition. Injuries have also limited Glasnow and Snell, which could create opportunities.
Rotation plans remain unsettled
Sasaki projects to have a rotation role next season, but the depth chart depends partly on how the Dodgers handle Shohei Ohtani’s workload after injuries affected him in 2026. Yamamoto, Snell and Glasnow account for three spots; Ohtani is expected to start at times. Sasaki could slot fourth or fifth, with Emmet Sheehan, Justin Wrobleski, Ben Casparius and others also in contention.
Tarik Skubal could leave in free agency, though the Dodgers are expected to try to bring him back. Other free agents or trade targets could reshape the group. Still, a crowded rotation rarely stays intact for long, and Sasaki should get chances to show whether his second-half performance can hold.
Davalan’s versatility may help him find a spot
Outfielder Charles Davalan is getting work at second base in the Arizona Fall League, according to a separate Hernandez report. He has played only the outfield in affiliated baseball, so the position change could give the Dodgers another way to fit him into the major league roster. Baseball America ranks him seventh among the organization’s prospects.
The Dodgers’ outfield is already crowded. Andy Pages, Kyle Tucker and Teoscar Hernández occupy the three regular spots, while Ohtani is usually the designated hitter. Josue De Paula has made his major league debut but has little obvious playing time available. Hernández could be traded to open left field for De Paula, a possibility MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk recently examined. Mike Sirota and Eduardo Quintero, the organization’s top two prospects, are also outfielders and nearing the majors: Sirota reached Triple-A late this season, while Quintero briefly moved up to Double-A.
Davalan reached Double-A in September, but second base may offer a less crowded route than the outfield. Tommy Edman currently looks like the favorite there, though he hasn’t played 100 games in a season since 2023. Alex Freeland is in the mix but has yet to click in the majors over 118 games, and Hyeseong Kim provides a utility option.
Roster openings could emerge over time
The Dodgers’ long-term position picture may create more room for prospects. Freddie Freeman, 37, has one year left on his contract. Max Muncy, 36, is entering the final guaranteed year of his deal. Mookie Betts is signed for years but is 34, and a permanent move at shortstop may eventually be necessary. Tucker can opt out after 2027 and 2028.
Those changes won’t guarantee Davalan a spot, but the more positions he can cover, the more ways the Dodgers can use him. His work at second base gives the organization another option as its major league roster and prospect pipeline continue to shift.
Photo courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas, Imagn Images
