Yoshinobu Yamamoto Expected to Start Dodgers Season Opener vs Cubs in Japan

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday “it’s fair to say” right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch the season opener in Tokyo, Japan against the Chicago Cubs.

Roberts also mentioned Roki Sasaki will pitch in Japan, but wasn’t ready to name him the Game 2 starter.

The Dodgers open their season on March 18 and 19 in Japan, and it’s only fitting one of the premier Japanese-born players in MLB gets the start.

Yamamoto is expected to take the mound against Cubs’ star Japanese pitcher Shota Imanaga in what will be an incredible moment for the city of Japan.

On MLB Network Wednesday morning, Roberts hinted at this announcement, saying the expectation for both Yamamoto and Sasaki to pitch in Japan was “real.” It’s unclear if Sasaki will pitch in Game 2 as a starter or reliever. However, if he does pitch, he will be making his MLB debut in Japan.

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As for Yamamoto, he came to MLB last offseason as Japan’s best pitcher. Yamamoto signed the richest contract in MLB history for a pitcher at 12 years and $325 million, and had an impressive first season with L.A.

Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA across 18 starts with 105 strikeouts to 22 walks over 90 innings of work. In the postseason, he went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA across 18.2 innings pitched.

He started arguably the most important game of the season in Game 5 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres, throwing five shutout innings.

Yamamoto will now likely get the honor of opening the Dodgers’ 2025 season in Japan after starting Game 2 of the Korea Series last year. As for Sasaki, the Dodgers want to see how his spring goes before naming him the potential Game 2 starter.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images

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