Sasaki does not want to be known as Ohtani's pupil. He is determined to establish himself as one of the best pitchers in MLB today. That mission begins in spring training, and in his ideal world, it will culminate with another Dodgers title run this fall.

Ohtani, who signed a $700 million contract with the Dodgers in the 2023-24 offseason, didn't pitch in his first year with the club after having elbow surgery in September 2023. But he became the first player in baseball history to hit 50 home runs with 50 stolen bases, winning his third career MVP award.