Yoshinobu Yamamoto Would Make Incredible History if He Is Dodgers’ Opening Day Starter

Speaking to reporters including Dodgers Nation on Tuesday in Glendale, Arizona, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow are on track to start against the San Diego Padres in the Seoul Series to begin the regular season.

Yamamoto, a rookie, would make history if he starts the Dodgers’ first game on March 20.

According to MLB’s Sarah Langs, Yamamoto “would be the first pitcher to make his MLB debut as an Opening Day starter since Al Gerheauser in 1943.”

Yamamoto was arguably the top pitcher on the free agent market this offseason and signed a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers. He might be a rookie by MLB standards, but he comes from a strong professional background in Japan.

Only 25 years old, Yamamoto won three consecutive Most Valuable Player and Eiji Sawamura (NPB’s Cy Young equivalent) Awards during his time in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball.

Yamamoto is already impressing his teammates. After throwing his first round of live batting practice, he received cheers, standing ovations, and high praise.

“I went up to him and said, ‘Please say incredible in Japanese, because that was incredible. It was just very impressive, the whole package, the calmness to be able to execute when everyone’s watching you. It’s very, very impressive.”

— Freddie Freeman via MLB.com

Roberts believes Yamamoto has what it takes to be a front-line starter for the Dodgers this season. Starting on Opening Day would confirm the sentiment hasn’t waned.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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