With the starting pitching depth they amassed during the offseason by signing Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki, in addition to welcoming back Tyler Glasnow from injury, the Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t lack for options when it came to deciding who would take the mound in the Tokyo Series.
Shohei Ohtani once was a presumed candidate as well, but the Dodgers quickly ruled him out from pitching in Japan. Instead, Ohtani is continuing with a throwing program that has him on track to join the Dodgers’ rotation around May.
Meanwhile, Yoshinobu Yamamoto was an obvious choice to pitch for the Dodgers during the Tokyo Series. While manager Dave Roberts has not officially confirmed as much, he’s continued to indicate Yamamoto will start on Opening Day at the Tokyo Dome.
Roberts additionally named Sasaki as the likely starter for the finale of the two-game series against the Chicago Cubs.
Dodgers pitchers for Japan games
Exhibition games
Prior to starting the regular season in Japan, the Dodgers’ schedule includes a pair of exhibition games at the Tokyo Dome.
They are due to face the Yomiuri Giants, with first pitch set for 3 a.m. PT on Saturday, March 15. Then at 8 p.m., the Dodgers play the Hanshin Tigers.
An order has not yet been revealed, but Roberts said Glasnow and Snell are among the Dodgers pitchers that will take the mound in the Japan exhibition games.
“I just think it’s good for them to be around our ballclub, and kind of with their work and buildup, we’ll work around it and make it work,” Roberts said.
Opening Day: Tokyo Series
With Yamamoto penciled in, the Cubs have officially committed to starting Shota Imanaga in the season opener. Thus, Imanaga and Yamamoto combining to make MLB history as Japanese natives starting in the same Opening Day game.
Excitement figures to be further heightened with the two hurlers achieving that feat in their home country.
Tokyo Series finale
Both the Dodgers and Cubs only have tentative starters for their second game in Japan with Sasaki and Justin Steele the current probables.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
