The Dodgers are the sixth known team to have an in-person meeting with star Japanese right-handed pitcher Roki Sasaki, multiple sources told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand. The other clubs who reportedly have met with the 23-year-old are the Mets, Yankees, Cubs, Rangers and Giants.

In four seasons with Nippon Professional Baseball's Chiba Lotte Marines, Sasaki posted a 2.10 ERA and struck out 32% of opposing batters, thanks to a fastball that can reach triple digits on the radar gun and a devastating splitter as part of his pitch arsenal.

Since he is under 25 years old and has not played in a foreign league recognized by MLB for a minimum of six seasons, Sasaki is subject to international bonus pool money restrictions. That means that he can be signed by a Major League team at a much lower cost than two star pitchers who made the jump last winter from NPB to MLB -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) and Shota Imanaga (Cubs).

Sasaki is not expected to sign until the 2025 international amateur signing period begins on Jan. 15, with a negotiating window that runs through Jan. 23. If he doesn't have a deal in place by then, he will return to his NPB club for the 2025 season.

The Dodgers and Padres reportedly are the favorites to land Sasaki, though given how relatively affordable he will be, there will likely be many other teams making a play for him. Sasaki's agent, Joel Wolfe, said during the MLB Winter Meetings earlier this month that Sasaki might prefer a mid-market or small-market club, ostensibly opening up the bidding to all 30 teams.

The Dodgers have two tremendous Japanese pitchers in their starting rotation -- two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and Yamamoto -- which could be a major point in their favor as Sasaki weighs his options.

The Padres, however, boast a veteran pitcher whom Sasaki admires and who was a teammate during the 2023 World Baseball Classic -- Yu Darvish. Former NPB and MLB right-hander Hideo Nomo is a special assistant in the Padres’ front office.

Still, the Dodgers have Ohtani, another teammate of Sasaki from the 2023 WBC champion Japan squad, as well as the title of defending World Series champion with a deep roster as they open their title defense in 2025.