With ownership turmoil and no offseason additions, the Padres must figure out how to contend without the Japanese phenom they coveted.

Roki Sasaki, the prized 23-year-old Japanese right-hander, has signed with the world champion Los Angeles Dodgers, he announced Friday.

Prized Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki says in an Instagram post he intends to sign with the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

After much speculation, the hard-throwing Japanese pitcher posts his decision on Instagram, choosing to play with countrymen Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Los Angeles.

Roki Sasaki ended the suspense of the most intriguing free agency of the offseason Friday, announcing his signing on his Instagram account.

Roki Sasaki burst onto the scene in Japan as a 19-year-old in 2021, posting a 1.84 ERA over 16 starts. He bounded onto the world stage when he joined a star-studded Japanese rotation that included Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

This time it was Roki Sasaki’s turn to break the Blue Jays’ hearts. The 23-year-old Japanese star is signing with the Dodgers, and just like Shohei Ohtani a year ago, Sasaki broke the news himself with an Instagram post.

The 23-year-old right-hander whose fastball tops 100 mph will join fellow Japanese stars Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

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Some fans won't be happy with Roki Sasaki signing with the Dodgers, but many team owners will be happy to see Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers come to town.

Roki Sasaki could be the greatest Japanese pitcher ever. He hopes the Dodgers can turn him into just that, even if it means Shohei Ohtani outshines him.