The Los Angeles Dodgers trusted Yoshinobu Yamamoto in several big moments during his rookie season, and they’re turning to the Japanese native for their first marquee opportunity in 2025.
Manager Dave Roberts revealed Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are the Dodgers’ likely starters for the Tokyo Series. Yamamoto is line to take the ball on Opening Day in Tokyo, while Sasaki would pitch in the series finale against the Chicago Cubs or one of the exhibition games if Spring Training proves he’s still facing a learning curve.
Although Yamamoto has experienced big games throughout his professional career, getting a chance to start for the Dodgers in his home country is an opportunity he’s excited for, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I’m very looking forward to it, to be able to pitch, perform at the Japanese ballpark again,” Yamamoto said Thursday through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “And I’d like to get myself ready the best I can.”
It’s possible Yamamoto will start opposite fellow Japanese native Shota Imanaga. Cubs manager Craig Counsell has confirmed Imanaga will pitch at the Tokyo Dome but stopped short of naming him the club’s Opening Day starter.
Yamamoto’s start in the Seoul Series also amounted to his MLB debut, and was certainly an outing to forget. He labored through just one inning and allowed five runs.
That marked the start of the San Diego Padres having their fair share of success against Yamamoto throughout the year, but he certainly righted the ship with a sterling performance in Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Now Yamamoto heads into a second season with better knowledge of what being an MLB pitcher entails and part of a Dodgers rotation that features even more talent than a year ago.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto helped Dodgers sign Roki Sasaki
While several players were involved in recruiting Sasaki to the Dodgers, Yamamoto is said to have played a particularly key role.
Yamamoto relayed how the Dodgers handled his adjustment from the NPB and eased any concern or questions Sasaki may have had about his own jump to the Majors.
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