Did he reveal his dream of joining the MLB too early? Japanese media are seemingly turning their backs on Roki Sasaki (Chiba Lotte Marines). Even former Doosan Bears coach Tsutomu Ito has criticized Sasaki's current approach.

Sasaki has recorded 5 wins, 2 losses, and a 1.96 ERA in 9 games this season, pitching 59⅔ innings with 70 strikeouts, showcasing his "Dr. K" prowess. However, his frequent injuries are a problem, making it difficult to meet the minimum innings requirement for the season. Despite already playing 71 games, Chiba Lotte faces challenges with Sasaki needing 83⅓ more innings to meet the requirement, and he's not ready to return soon.

Tokyo Sports reported on the 2nd, "Roki Sasaki's weak physique is causing controversy in various ways." The media noted his impressive stats but highlighted his removal from the roster twice due to right arm issues after only 9 games and 59⅔ innings this season.

Chiba Lotte manager Masato Yoshii explained, "There was a two-week interval between starts, and the same issue occurred. We decided to remove him from the roster as starting every six days seemed difficult." Regarding Sasaki's return, he stated, "It's hard for me to say. It depends on the trainers and how Sasaki feels."

Former manager Ito criticized on his YouTube channel, "He has never pitched a full season. While he seems to be eyeing MLB in the future, as an observer, it's somewhat disappointing." He added, "What is he looking at? While it's great to aim for MLB, he should be pitching for Japan and his team right now."

Negative perceptions are growing around Sasaki, with concerns about his commitment. Tokyo Sports reported, "Sasaki is influenced by adults around him, making it hard for others to see where his true intentions lie. He is in a situation that is difficult to understand."

Unlike Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) and Yusei Kikuchi (Toronto Blue Jays), who clearly expressed their MLB ambitions, and Rintaro Sasaki, who chose a different path by attending Stanford University, Roki Sasaki's true intentions remain unclear, leading to misunderstandings.먹튀검증사이트