Los Angeles Dodgers beginning pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will likely be beginning on Opening Day in opposition to the Arizona Diamondbacks, as supervisor Dave Roberts introduced, after pitching within the World Baseball Basic quarterfinals.
Yamamoto is continuous a powerful streak of being a complete workhorse, pitching firstly of the season for the second yr in a row after shouldering a large load all through 2025, pushing himself onerous within the offseason, and making two WBC appearances.
Somewhat than complain or look to handle his load as many fashionable athletes do, Yamamoto is striving to be a real throwback ace for the Dodgers.
Rain or shine, nobody was extra dependable for the Dodgers in 2025 than Yamamoto, and that’s proving to be the case to begin 2026.
Yamamoto returned to Dodgers camp on Monday, and the next day, he talked about what being a back-to-back Opening Day starter means to him.
“I’m actually completely happy to have been entrusted with the opening sport, and because it’s a gap sport at residence, I believe the followers are trying ahead to it too. I wish to take the mound with a way of accountability,” Yamamoto stated in Japanese.
Yamamoto pitched 6.2 innings within the WBC, placing up a 2.70 ERA. He made two begins within the Cactus League as nicely earlier than jetting off to Japan.
The righty takes the ball on Friday in opposition to the San Diego Padres, his first outing since coming again. It is going to function his closing tune-up earlier than the beginning of the season.
Yamamoto is preventing to earn a Cy Younger award alongside fellow starters Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow, each of whom are the healthiest high-caliber arms for the Dodgers and have their sights on the prize.
Dave Roberts on the choice to begin Yamamoto
For supervisor Dave Roberts, the choice to go along with Yamamoto to open such a key season was simple, given all he has dropped at the franchise.
“It’s a fairly simple choice, contemplating that it’s an honor to be the Opening Day starter,” Roberts stated. “He began for us final yr on the highway. However for him to get that begin on Opening Day at residence, I believe it’s going to be particular.”
With an excited and engaged Yamamoto, the Dodgers seemed poised to get shot at reaching a three-peat.
