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It marked the third consecutive start of five or more innings for the 23-year-old Sasaki, who still is seeking his first MLB victory after posting a 30-15 record for Chiba Lotte of the Japanese League.

He was later drafted by the Chiba Lotte Marines, for whom he pitched a perfect game.

Sasaki, 23, who spent the last four seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines in the Japanese league, said he’s honored to make his major league debut in Tokyo.

His slider is considered a work in progress, as he experimented with slow and fast variations of the pitch in his last couple of seasons with the Chiba Lotte Marines.

The answer, the 23-year-old Sasaki confirmed at his introductory news conference at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, was related to elbow problems he experienced as a first-year player on the Chiba Lotte Marines of Japan.