Roki Sasaki spoke only to Japanese media after his @OKC_comets start, I will post the translation in this thread. Thanks to @brownsonjacob2 for the video
youtube.com/watch?v=EYbzba… x.com/BLPJapanese/st…
youtube.com/watch?v=EYbzba… x.com/BLPJapanese/st…
Q: Today was your first rehab start, and you were able to pitch in a real game situation and throw the planned number of pitches. How do you feel right now?
A: First of all, I’m glad I was able to get through it without any physical issues and finish as planned. From a performance standpoint, there are still things I need to work on, but taking that into account, I want to make adjustments and be ready for my next outing.
A: First of all, I’m glad I was able to get through it without any physical issues and finish as planned. From a performance standpoint, there are still things I need to work on, but taking that into account, I want to make adjustments and be ready for my next outing.
Q: You’ve mentioned before that the most important thing in rehab is not feeling shoulder pain or discomfort. How does your body feel after pitching today?
A: Early on, I felt a little “loose” going into the game, and I think I held back a bit in terms of effort. Because of that, I didn’t really feel fatigued. I want to make sure next time I can go out with more intensity from the start and be able to bring my best stuff.
A: Early on, I felt a little “loose” going into the game, and I think I held back a bit in terms of effort. Because of that, I didn’t really feel fatigued. I want to make sure next time I can go out with more intensity from the start and be able to bring my best stuff.
Q: Statistically, today you gave up 6 hits and 3 runs in 2 innings. You did get some good swings-and-misses with the splitter, though. How do you evaluate the quality of your pitches?
A: The splitter was good at times, and I was able to use the two-seamer effectively. The cutter wasn’t great, and more than anything, my fastball velocity was down. Usually, from catch play, I monitor the speed and try to build it up, but this time I didn’t do that. I didn’t realize my velocity was low until after the fact. In the second inning, I tried to ramp it up and it came up about 2 mph, so that was better, but I still feel I came in too passively at the start.
A: The splitter was good at times, and I was able to use the two-seamer effectively. The cutter wasn’t great, and more than anything, my fastball velocity was down. Usually, from catch play, I monitor the speed and try to build it up, but this time I didn’t do that. I didn’t realize my velocity was low until after the fact. In the second inning, I tried to ramp it up and it came up about 2 mph, so that was better, but I still feel I came in too passively at the start.
Q: Facing this lineup today, it seemed different from what you might see in Japan — bunts, aggressive baserunning, etc. Did you notice a difference?
A: Yes. Even the leadoff hitter came out swinging aggressively. Of course, I have things I want to execute regardless of results, but today I wasn’t able to perform at the level I wanted, and that’s what I regret most.
A: Yes. Even the leadoff hitter came out swinging aggressively. Of course, I have things I want to execute regardless of results, but today I wasn’t able to perform at the level I wanted, and that’s what I regret most.
Q: It looked like you were holding back a bit today since it was your first game. But in terms of fastball command, it seemed good. Would you agree?
A: Yes, after I made some adjustments to my delivery, it felt pretty good. I just need to be able to maintain command even when I’m trying to throw harder. Overall, there wasn’t much life in my pitches today, so it’s hard to evaluate, but compared to my last bullpen or live BP, my mechanics felt better. I just need to add more life and intent.
A: Yes, after I made some adjustments to my delivery, it felt pretty good. I just need to be able to maintain command even when I’m trying to throw harder. Overall, there wasn’t much life in my pitches today, so it’s hard to evaluate, but compared to my last bullpen or live BP, my mechanics felt better. I just need to add more life and intent.
Q: Back in June, the goal was to be able to throw around 5 innings and 75 pitches by late August. After today’s outing, what do you think the next step will be?
A: I feel no physical discomfort at this point. The issue now is more performance than health. I’m confident in my health, but I need to get to a level where I can perform effectively in the majors and in important games in September. I think I’ll continue with rehab starts in the minors.
A: I feel no physical discomfort at this point. The issue now is more performance than health. I’m confident in my health, but I need to get to a level where I can perform effectively in the majors and in important games in September. I think I’ll continue with rehab starts in the minors.
Q: Did getting through this first game bring you some peace of mind?
A: Yes. A real game is a different environment from live BP, so it’s a positive step forward. Of course, I also found areas I need to work on, so next time I want to avoid making the same mistakes, continue to make new adjustments, and ultimately be ready to pitch in the majors.
A: Yes. A real game is a different environment from live BP, so it’s a positive step forward. Of course, I also found areas I need to work on, so next time I want to avoid making the same mistakes, continue to make new adjustments, and ultimately be ready to pitch in the majors.
Q: It looked like your arm action was a little shorter today. Was that intentional?
A: It was more about my timing being off today. If my timing had been better, my velocity probably would have been closer to where it was in live BP. I think that’s why there wasn’t much life in my pitches. That was disappointing.
A: It was more about my timing being off today. If my timing had been better, my velocity probably would have been closer to where it was in live BP. I think that’s why there wasn’t much life in my pitches. That was disappointing.
Q: About your two-seamer — how did hitters react to it?
A: In Japan, when I threw inside to right-handed batters, about one out of three would run in and miss inside, so I didn’t use it intentionally very often. Today, I tried to create more run on it on purpose, and I got some weak contact and ground balls, so I think it was effective.
A: In Japan, when I threw inside to right-handed batters, about one out of three would run in and miss inside, so I didn’t use it intentionally very often. Today, I tried to create more run on it on purpose, and I got some weak contact and ground balls, so I think it was effective.
Q: How many two-seamers did you throw today?
A: Three or four.
A: Three or four.
Q: Is this the first time you’ve really worked on the two-seamer? Did you get tips from anyone?
A: Yes, I learned a few different grips from the coaches, and I picked the one that felt best for me. My natural movement already has a bit of run, so it was easy to adapt.
A: Yes, I learned a few different grips from the coaches, and I picked the one that felt best for me. My natural movement already has a bit of run, so it was easy to adapt.
Q: Watching games at Dodger Stadium, do you get the feeling you want to hurry back to pitching there?
A: Of course. As a baseball player, if I’m not pitching in games and contributing, it feels like I’m not doing my job. But I can’t just rush back — I need to focus on what I have to do right now. I have both the desire to return quickly and the understanding that I need to prepare properly before I do.
A: Of course. As a baseball player, if I’m not pitching in games and contributing, it feels like I’m not doing my job. But I can’t just rush back — I need to focus on what I have to do right now. I have both the desire to return quickly and the understanding that I need to prepare properly before I do.
Q: Recently, Yamamoto posted on Instagram that you had dinner with two other Japanese players on the team. Since they’ve both dealt with injuries, did they give you any advice?
A: They didn’t really say “don’t rush,” but they did tell me to “hurry up and pitch again” (laughs).
A: They didn’t really say “don’t rush,” but they did tell me to “hurry up and pitch again” (laughs).
Q: Have you started doing anything new during this rehab period?
A: In terms of pitches, I’ve been working on the cutter and slider. For training, I’ve been doing more upper-body work, which I hadn’t really done before. It’s more for durability and body balance than velocity. I didn’t feel it was necessary before, but now I think it’s the right time to add it.
A: In terms of pitches, I’ve been working on the cutter and slider. For training, I’ve been doing more upper-body work, which I hadn’t really done before. It’s more for durability and body balance than velocity. I didn’t feel it was necessary before, but now I think it’s the right time to add it.
update: In terms of pitches, I’ve been working on the cutter and two-seamer.
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