Deciding it is time for high-upside young talent to arrive is a means for teams to rise to playoff contention -- unless the best teams are playing the same game.

The Los Angeles Dodgers had an idea of what they were getting when they signed Roki Sasaki this offseason, and he has been as advertised this spring. Through two appearances, including one start, Sasaki has struck out seven in his seven innings of work.

Tadahito Iguchi, who was Sasaki’s manager for the pitcher’s first three seasons in the Japan Pacific League from 2021-23, believes he will continue to improve.