LA Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (24) made a surprise announcement of his marriage ahead of the season.
Japanese media Sports Hochi reported on the 22nd (Korean time) that “Sasaki announced his marriage through his Instagram. He held a press conference at the training camp in Glendale, Arizona, and explained the circumstances of his marriage, saying, ‘She is a kind person. Although I am anxious as a first-year Major League player, I hope we can work together and support each other.’
Sasaki is Japan's top ace, with a career record of 29 wins and 15 losses over 64 games (394⅔ innings) and an earned run average of 2.10. He gained international recognition in 2022 by achieving the youngest perfect game in Japanese professional baseball. However, there are concerns about his health. Sasaki, who has suffered injuries every year, has never completed the required innings. Last year, he recorded 10 wins and 5 losses with an earned run average of 2.35 over 18 games (111 innings), failing to reach the required innings. However, Chiba Lotte recognized that Sasaki had achieved his first 10 wins and allowed him to post, prompting Major League teams to immediately engage in a competition for his acquisition. Sasaki ultimately chose the Dodgers after two meetings.
Ahead of his Major League debut, Sasaki announced on his social media that, “Thank you for always supporting me. I recently married a regular woman. It’s a new beginning, filled with excitement and anxiety, but my spouse and I will work hard together. I would appreciate it if you could watch over us warmly.”
In a media interview, Sasaki said, “I got married in the offseason. It wasn’t anything special, but I felt at ease and could be myself when we were together. I thought it would be good to announce it before I start as a first-year Major League player and enter the actual games. Since many people still don’t know, revealing the marriage made me even more nervous.”
Last year, the Dodgers surprised everyone when their star Shohei Ohtani announced his marriage before the season. The Ohtani couple became even more of a topic when they first appeared at the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul.
When asked about Shohei Ohtani's reaction when he revealed the news of his marriage, Sasaki said, “He was surprised. I told him in the morning, and at first, he didn’t believe it. Later, he congratulated me.” He added, “I haven’t introduced it to (manager) Dave Roberts yet. I have no plans, but I hope an opportunity arises during the season.”
Sasaki, expressing his intention to concentrate more on baseball, said, “I think there will be many challenges since I am a first-year (Major League) player. In that sense, getting married will likely be of great help.”