Yoshinobu Yamamoto, in his exhibition debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers, impressed by striking out three batters over two scoreless innings. His stellar performance offered a glimpse into his potential as a big league ace, showcasing his impeccable command and dominance, making him a key addition to the Dodgers' roster.

By the Numbers
  • Yamamoto threw 16 of 19 pitches for strikes
  • Yamamoto has a career 1.72 ERA in Japan in nearly 1,000 innings
State of Play
  • Yamamoto, 25, demonstrated his impressive six-pitch repertoire, including a splitter, four-seam fastball, and a vicious curveball
  • Ohtani, another Japanese star, signed a record $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December
What's Next

Yamamoto's presence will be crucial for the Dodgers in 2024, especially with Ohtani's recovery from an elbow injury, as he is expected to hit but not pitch until 2025.

Bottom Line

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's impressive debut performance for the Dodgers reflects his potential to significantly impact the team's success in the upcoming season, providing a valuable addition to their pitching rotation.