Two of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Japanese stars will see some action in spring training games this weekend.
World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will start for the Boys in Blue either Saturday or Sunday, manager Dave Roberts said, as reported by David Vassegh of SportNet LA.
Two-way star Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch but he will play designated hitter this weekend, Roberts added.
The two stars won’t be present for all of spring training, as they’re set to leave to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani isn’t expected to pitch at all in Cactus League play, nor will he pitch for Team Japan.
When Will Stars Leave for the WBC?
The exact timing of Ohtani and Yamamoto’s departures hasn’t been announced, but Team Japan’s training camp is already underway and will last through Feb. 24, according to Ayako Oikawa of MLB.com.
They begin play in the Samurai Japan Series on Feb. 27, and MLB players are expected to join Team Japan by March 2, when the squad plays exhibitions in Osaka.
When asked about Ohtani’s pitching, Roberts said he was confident that the two-way star will be ready for the season before he departs.
“I don’t know when he’s going to leave us to join Team Japan, but there’s still gonna be ample time for him to get his progression here with us,” Roberts said. “To then, I’m sure Mark will be talking to the pitching coach over there and kind of, you know, stick to our plan and we’ll be in lockstep.”
Which Other Dodgers Are Playing in the WBC?
In addition to Team Japan’s two, seven other squads will have a Dodger apiece on them.
One hopeful who won’t participate in the WBC, however, is Miguel Rojas.
He was denied in his quest to represent Team Venezuela due to insurance issues stemming from his age and history of injuries.
“I am very sad today,” Rojas wrote in an Instagram caption translated from Spanish to English. “It’s a real shame not to be able to represent my country and wear that flag on my chest.”
Pitcher Roki Sasaki was also blocked from the WBC, though in his case, it was a team decision.
