The New York Yankees are feeling the heat, and it’s not just from the summer sun. While both the Yankees and the Dodgers have faced their own set of challenges heading into the 2025 season, it’s Los Angeles that’s managed to turn their predicament into a heartwarming narrative, one that might have fans in the Bronx longing for a similar storyline.

Enter Matt Sauer, a name that might ring a bell for Yankees fans. Drafted by New York in the second round back in 2017, Sauer’s career hit several roadblocks.

After a promising start, a rough injury in 2019 and the COVID-19 shutdown put some serious bumps in his road to the majors. Despite a glimmer of brilliance in 2022, when he struck out 17 batters with the Somerset Patriots, Sauer found himself on the move, landing with the Royals through the Rule 5 Draft after the 2023 season.

Fast forward to his current spring with the Dodgers. Sauer’s ERA of 8.22 across four appearances might not turn heads in the way he’d hoped, but it’s not the numbers from the mound that are making headlines.

After a mixed bag of outings this spring, including a rough patch against the Mariners, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts delivered news that would mark a transformative step in Sauer’s journey. Mid-pitching change, Roberts told him he was on the roster for the Tokyo Series.

That’s right, Sauer would be heading overseas with the Dodgers, a golden ticket that promises both personal and professional growth.

Sauer’s response? He was in “pure shock.”

But beyond the game, this trip is momentous for him for another reason. His mother, Tammy, born in Okinawa, will return to Japan for the first time since her childhood.

It’s not just about the game; it’s a reunion decades in the making.

While Yankees fans might be wishing for such uplifting stories amidst their own team’s struggles, they can find solace in knowing that a former Yankee is still playing important innings. Sauer’s story is a testament to resilience—a theme everyone can rally around. And with a $70,000 bonus to sweeten the deal, this trip to Tokyo is not just a professional high point for Sauer, but a personal victory as well.