The Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the offseason by signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, while also acquiring Tyler Glasnow as part of a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.
Ohtani immediately gave the Dodgers another power threat for their lineup and eventual contributor on the mound once he recovers from a second career right elbow surgery, while Yamamoto and Glasnow are projected to lead the starting rotation this season.
Glasnow made his Dodgers Spring Training debut on Saturday to mixed results, but the wait for Ohtani and Yamamoto continues.
“It’s going to be next week,” answered manager Dave Roberts when asked on Saturday when Yamamoto would make his Dodgers debut. “Right now as he prepares for next week, I’m just trying to make sure things continue to go accordingly. So middle of next week is what we’re shooting for. I’m just trying to give him a little bit of latitude.
“Shohei as well is going to make his Dodger debut sometime in the middle of next week.”
Yamamoto faced hitters this past Thursday for his second time of live batting practice this spring.
“I’ve been feeling good,” he said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “I’m just pretending it’s a real game. Probably the next one is going to be a real game.”
When is Yoshinobu Yamamoto going to start?
Kyle Hurt is starting Sunday, Ryan Yarbrough is the Dodgers’ listed probable for Monday’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields, and Bobby Miller is scheduled for his spring debut on Tuesday.
Thus, the earliest Yamamoto would make his first start for the Dodgers is Wednesday, when they face the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium. That would align with Yamamoto pitching two days after his most recent bullpen session.
If Yamamoto’s first game is on Wednesday, he theoretically could only make two more ensuing Cactus League starts before then taking the ball in South Korea during the Seoul Series.
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