Dodgers fans saving receipts on Brandon Gomes over Roki Sasaki comment

With Edwin Díaz out until after the All-Star break, the Dodgers return to a closer-less existence. Before Díaz, they were resistant to actually naming a closer, content to let their multitude of solid high-leverage arms do multiple jobs without the title to go along with it. Even last year, after Tanner Scott was signed, the Dodgers hesitated to call him what he was.

Roki Sasaki briefly took on the role, of course, during last year's postseason run, and he turned into the best closer in the world overnight. Velocity was up, command was solid — the Dodgers looked like they had a revelation on their hands.

Still, it came as no surprise when the Dodgers gave him his starter role back for 2026. They have always believed in Sasaki as a starter and were going to let him make his adjustments at the major league level.

But what about with Díaz out for months and Scott still regaining trust in high-leverage innings? Brandon Gomes was asked if the Dodgers would consider moving Sasaki back to the bullpen in Díaz's absence. His answer was an unsurprising but plain, "No."

Brandon Gomes had a simple answer for questions on Roki Sasaki's Dodgers future after Edwin Díaz's surgery

Sasaki has stagnated as a starter this season. His four starts haven't been catastrophic, but they also haven't shown signs of improvement. His last time out against the Rockies, he gave up three runs in 4 2/3 innings on seven hits (including a homer), a hit batter, and two walks. He only struck out two after striking out six — an MLB career high so far — in his previous start. He labored through those 4 2/3 innings, too, needing 78 pitches to get through his start.

It's unclear what got into him as a reliever when velocity and command issues can plague any pitcher. Maybe it was a mental thing while adjusting to the major leagues that messed him up in the regular season, but the pressure of the postseason that got him back on track in the postseason. Maybe his stuff is just better suited in lethal small doses at this level.

But there's really no reason to speculate when the Dodgers continue to flatly refuse to move him back to the bullpen. Andrew Friedman has already said it: the bullpen is where failed starters go, and the Dodgers don't believe Sasaki is a failed starter.

Yet, anyway.

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