Los Angeles, CA — What began as another night of high expectations for the Los Angeles Dodgers quickly turned into one of sorrow and heartbreak. Fresh off a winning streak and carrying sky-high momentum, the team was blindsided by an emotional blow that no box score could ever capture.

Just hours before first pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Rōki Sasaki, the Dodgers’ rising pitching sensation from Japan, received devastating news: his mother had passed away unexpectedly in their hometown of Rikuzentakata.

From Fire to Silence

According to sources within the Dodgers organization, Sasaki was informed privately just before pregame warmups. The moment the news hit, witnesses described a visible shift in energy within the clubhouse. Players went from loose and focused to solemn and distracted. Sasaki, who had been scheduled to pitch later this week, immediately withdrew from team activities and left the stadium, supported by interpreters and team staff.

One teammate, speaking anonymously, said:

“He didn’t need to say anything. You could feel the heartbreak in the air. We didn’t just lose a teammate for the night — we felt his pain like it was our own.”

A Night Lost on and off the Field

The Dodgers struggled through the night. Their normally electric offense faltered, and defensive miscues proved costly. They fell 6-2 to the Diamondbacks, snapping their win streak — but the loss felt irrelevant.

Manager Dave Roberts, who has often praised Sasaki’s resilience and humility, held back tears during the post-game press conference:

“We lost more than a game tonight. Rōki lost a piece of his world, and our hearts are shattered for him. Baseball can wait. Family comes first.”

A Mother’s Silent Strength

Rōki Sasaki has never shied away from speaking about his mother’s influence on his journey. After losing his father in the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami — a tragedy that also claimed his grandparents — his mother became his rock. She supported his dream of becoming a professional baseball player, often working multiple jobs to support his training and education.

“Everything I do on the mound is to make my mom proud,” Sasaki once said in a Japanese interview.

Her passing reopens old wounds and reminds the world of the personal sacrifices behind every athletic triumph.

An Outpouring of Love from Two Continents

As news of his mother’s passing broke, messages of sympathy and encouragement poured in from both sides of the Pacific. Fans in Los Angeles and Japan lit up social media with hashtags like #PrayForRōki and #DodgersFamily.

The Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki’s former team in Nippon Professional Baseball, released a statement:

“Our hearts go out to Rōki Sasaki and his family. He is not only a phenomenal athlete, but a symbol of strength and perseverance. We mourn with him.”

Baseball Can Wait, Grief Cannot

The Dodgers confirmed that Sasaki will take an indefinite leave of absence to return to Japan and be with his family. The organization pledged its full support, with General Manager Brandon Gomes stating:

“We are in no rush. He will take all the time he needs. Rōki is more than a player — he is family.”

More Than a Game

This tragedy underscores a universal truth that resonates far beyond the ballpark: Even the brightest stars carry burdens we cannot see. While Rōki Sasaki has stunned the baseball world with his 100+ mph fastballs and calm presence on the mound, tonight reminds us that he is, above all, human.

As the Dodgers prepare for their next game, it will be with a heavy heart. They’ll take the field not just for wins — but for their brother, grieving halfway across the world.