I've been fighting the fear of not knowing when I'll be able to throw it."

Japanese monster pitcher Rocky Sasaki (24), who signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and achieved his dream of entering the Major League, revealed why he had no choice but to hurry to challenge the U.S.메이저놀이터

Sasaki, who already received attention as Japan's best talent early in high school by throwing 163 km/h of light balls, joined the Chiba Lotte Marines as the No. 1 draft pick in 2019. Sasaki, who only appeared in the first division in 2021 under the supervision of Dan, quickly became a top pitcher in the Japanese professional baseball (NPB).

In 2022, he had 9 wins and 4 losses with a 2.02 ERA and 173 strikeouts in 129 ⅓ innings, and on April 10 of that year, he also achieved the NPB's youngest perfect game record against the Orix Buffaloes.

Sasaki did not meet the regular innings due to frequent injuries in 2023 (7-4, 1.78 ERA in 15 games) and 2024 (10-5, 2.35 ERA in 18 games), but continued his outstanding performance.

Sasaki, who finally obtained permission from Chiba Lotte after the 2024 season, was posted on December 10 last year. Sasaki, who received numerous clubs' attention, announced that he signed a contract with the Dodgers on the 18th after a long period of consideration.

Japanese media "Sports Hochi" quoted NHK's reporting program "Close Up Hyundai" as telling the behind-the-scenes story of Sasaki's major league challenge.

Sports Hochi said, "Under the regulations, foreign players under the age of 25 can only sign minor league contracts, so the annual salary (which can be received) and the transfer fee paid to Chiba Lotte Club were also low. There were also criticisms that Sasaki's U.S. challenge process was not smooth, saying, "Because he has not been active throughout the season due to frequent injuries."

According to the media, Sasaki said, "I've been living with injuries because I threw fastballs from a relatively early period since I was a student. I've been playing (baseball) fighting the fear of not being able to throw at any time," revealing that he was always feeling anxious about his injury.

Sasaki, who was injured ahead of the 2020 opening, said, "I had my right elbow muscle torn and rehabilitated, but it was hard to get better, so I went to several hospitals. I couldn't throw it with my existing foam because of the severe pain."

"Some doctors told me that Tommy John surgery would be better. I was told that before I even threw a single game in the professional league. I thought about when I would not be able to play baseball or throw, or maybe I would not be able to perform as I do now," he said.

Recalling the memory of not being able to take the mound due to the risk of injury in the Iwate Prefecture final when he was in high school and watching his team's defeat, Sasaki said, "When I think about what I can do, I thought the only way to succeed in professional baseball and as a baseball player is to succeed." He then said, "After joining Chiba Lotte, I was so anxious that I could not express it in words because such an injury happened while I was going through a separate adjustment step."

Fortunately, the elbow injury was not serious. Sports Hochi said it was revealed through the broadcast that the shoulder was not in good condition, causing elbow pain and no abnormalities in the ligament.

"A single ball could turn (my career) upside down. I felt there was a possibility," Sasaki said. "I thought it would be best to challenge and grow in the Major League at this juncture rather than wait two more years at a time when I don't know what will happen in the future."