The Los Angeles Dodgers are beginning the regular season with an international series for the second consecutive year, but 2025 brings about heightened excitement with that taking place in Japan.
The Dodgers have become the country’s de facto home team since signing Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto last offseason and following that up with adding Roki Sasaki this winter.
While there is still over one month until the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers and Chicago Cubs have begun to publicly share some pitching plans.
During an appearance on “Hot Stove” on MLB Network, manager Dave Roberts said the Dodgers expect Yamamoto and Sasaki to pitch at the Tokyo Dome in some fashion:
“I think the expectation for both those guys to pitch is real. That’s our expectation. But as I say that, you just never know. Today is our first day of pitchers and catchers, so things can certainly change. But I think at the outset, that’s the anticipation.”
Of the two, Yamamoto is who will likely start for the Dodgers on Opening Day. That would leave Sasaki to pitch in the second game if the Dodgers are comfortable with sending their rookie to the mound.
Tyler Glasnow and Yamamoto were selected as the two starting pitchers when the Dodgers played the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series last year. For Yamamoto it represented his MLB debut.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell previously announced Shota Imanaga would start against the Dodgers in one of the two Tokyo Series games.
Dodgers rule out Ohtani pitching in Tokyo
What is known is Shohei Ohtani will not pitch for the Dodgers at any point during the Tokyo Series or first month-plus of the regular season.
Roberts has maintained the earliest Ohtani would be on the mound this season is May.
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!
