Los Angeles Dodgers: Early Struggles for Two Young Pitchers Amid Hot Start

The Los Angeles Dodgers are living up to their expectations as they dominate the National League West, boasting an impressive 9-3 record to start the 2026 season. Fans and analysts alike anticipated a solid beginning for the team, and it’s safe to say that the Dodgers have delivered on that front. However, despite the overall success, some players have found themselves struggling early in the campaign.

Let’s take a closer look at two Dodgers’ pitchers who have faced significant challenges in the first few weeks of the season.

Roki Sasaki: The High Expectations and Early Struggles

One player who has been on the radar of many fans and analysts is Roki Sasaki. Coming into the 2026 season, Sasaki was seen as a potential star for the Dodgers. His debut in 2025 gave fans plenty of hope, especially after his strong performance in the postseason. However, the 24-year-old right-hander has struggled to live up to the hype in the early going this year.

Through his first two starts in 2026, Sasaki has posted an unflattering 7.00 ERA. In his nine innings of work, he’s managed to strike out nine batters but has also walked five, which has led to some issues with runners on base. Though his fastball remains solid, sitting in the 87th percentile for velocity, Sasaki has struggled to keep hitters from making solid contact when they do make contact.

Sasaki ranks in the 76th percentile for average exit velocity, which means that while he’s not always giving up hard-hit balls, when hitters do make contact, they’re finding the sweet spot more often than not. This is also reflected in his 29th percentile ranking for barrel percentage, indicating that he is allowing far too many solid hits. His struggles with walks have placed additional pressure on the pitcher, which has hurt his ability to limit damage during critical moments.

While Sasaki’s early struggles are concerning, it’s important to remember that he is only 24 years old and still relatively new to the big leagues, having just completed his first full MLB season. The Dodgers have shown patience with their young players in the past, and it’s likely that they’ll allow Sasaki some time to work through these issues. His raw talent and potential still make him a player to watch, and his struggles so far should not overshadow his promise moving forward.

Emmet Sheehan: Another Young Pitcher Struggling to Find His Rhythm

Another player who has faced early difficulties is Emmet Sheehan, a 26-year-old right-hander who was expected to be part of the Dodgers’ future rotation. Sheehan showed flashes of potential in 2025, but so far in 2026, he has been unable to find a consistent rhythm.

Through two starts, Sheehan has posted an 8.00 ERA, with eight strikeouts and five walks in nine innings. Like Sasaki, Sheehan has struggled with his command, ranking in the 36th percentile for walk percentage. This issue has led to an increasing number of base runners, and much like Sasaki, Sheehan has struggled to limit damage when hitters get on base.

What sets Sheehan apart from Sasaki, however, is his lack of elite velocity. While Sasaki’s fastball sits comfortably in the 87th percentile for velocity, Sheehan’s fastball lacks that same firepower, which means he relies heavily on his off-speed stuff. Fortunately, Sheehan does have effective breaking pitches, ranking in the 94th percentile for breaking run value, meaning his off-speed pitches can be elite when properly executed. However, he has yet to consistently harness them, which has hurt his ability to command the strike zone.

While Sheehan’s off-speed pitches show promise, his inability to find consistency and his struggles with command make him a more pressing concern than Sasaki. With injury setbacks limiting Sheehan’s development, and his age now at 26, the clock is ticking for him to seize an opportunity in the Dodgers’ rotation. At this point, Sheehan may be a player the Dodgers will look to move to the bullpen or possibly even trade in the coming months if he cannot turn things around.

The Concern Level: More Worry for Sheehan than Sasaki

While both Sasaki and Sheehan are young pitchers with tremendous upside, the level of concern is higher for Sheehan at this point. Sheehan has had more time in the MLB, making his debut in 2023, and his struggles this season have been more concerning than Sasaki’s early bumps. At 26 years old, Sheehan is at a pivotal point in his career, and with injuries hampering his development, the Dodgers might be inclined to give him fewer opportunities to prove himself as a starter. If his struggles persist, it’s possible that Sheehan could find himself in a bullpen role or even on the trade block as the Dodgers look to bolster their rotation.

Sasaki, on the other hand, is still only 24 years old and has made just 12 regular-season starts in the MLB. While his struggles are notable, the Dodgers have more patience with younger pitchers, and they are likely to give him more time to adjust. His velocity, command, and upside still give him a path to becoming a key contributor in the rotation, even if his early season struggles continue.

Could Sasaki and Sheehan Still Emerge as Stars?

Despite their early struggles in 2026, both Sasaki and Sheehan still possess the tools to emerge as future stars for the Dodgers. If Sasaki can gain more control over his walks and limit the solid contact, he could regain the form that many expected from him at the beginning of the season. As for Sheehan, his off-speed pitches are highly effective, but he must find a way to command his fastball and keep hitters off balance.

With time, patience, and adjustments, both pitchers have the potential to break out of their current slumps and live up to the high expectations placed on them. For now, though, it’s safe to say that their struggles have been one of the few negative points in what has otherwise been a strong start to the 2026 season for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Dodgers are off to a strong start with a 9-3 record, but the struggles of Roki Sasaki and Emmet Sheehan present challenges that will need to be addressed in the coming weeks. The question now is whether these young pitchers can find their form and turn things around, or if the Dodgers will need to explore other options to strengthen their pitching staff for the rest of the season. The upcoming months will be critical for both players’ careers and for the Dodgers’ continued success.