TOKYO (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto understands the experience of journeying around the globe to step onto the pitcher’s mound for his initial opening day start in Major League Baseball.
One can safely conclude that the initial try did not go as planned.
However, the Japanese right-hander rebounded from his tough start in the 2024 MLB season which began in South Korea. where he surrendered five runs within a single inning while playing against the San Diego Padres —and ultimately became an integral member of a squad that clinched a World Series championship by defeating the New York Yankees in five games.
A year down the line, he's poised to shine as a star.
This marks my second year; I'm not a novice anymore," Yamamoto stated via an interpreter. "Therefore, I aim to improve and become a player who can significantly contribute to the team.
Yamamoto has become a possible top pitcher for the Dodgers this season and He will pitch for the team's first game of the season. versus the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday at the Tokyo Dome.
Although frequently eclipsed by his high-profile teammate Shohei Ohtani , Yamamoto’s growth is possibly equally crucial for the Dodgers now that he has entered his second year under a $325 million, 12-year contract he inked prior to the previous season.
I believe Yoshinobu has matured significantly over the past year," Manager Dave Roberts stated. "He’s poised for an outstanding season. This growth reflects his character; bouncing back from such a difficult beginning shows his determination and integrity.
Following his initial outing, Yamamoto had an impressive performance in 2024, registering a 7-2 win-loss ratio with a 3.00 ERA and accumulating 105 strikeouts across 90 innings, even though he suffered from a shoulder injury that kept him out for roughly half of the year. In the postseason, he continued to perform well, notably in the World Series where he conceded only one run over 6 1/3 innings. In a victory during Game 2 .
Yamamoto relies mostly on a three-pitch mix of a mid-90s fastball, a curveball and a devastating splitter that coaxes plenty of swing and miss. Now he also knows he can thrive in the big leagues.
“I think the biggest thing is confidence, which you have to go through the experience, to gain more confidence,” Roberts said. “How that manifests is that he trusts his fastball in the strike zone and he doesn’t have to be too fine with it, and that makes everything else better.”
The 26-year-old Yamamoto could be one of the headliners of an elite starting rotation that includes two-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Tony Gonsolin, Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki and eventually Ohtani, aiming to get back onto the pitcher's mound, in May.
Dustin May and Bobby Miller are alternative choices, with experienced southpaw Clayton Kershaw potentially contributing if he’s fit.
However, the inaugural game of the regular season falls to Yamamoto. Prepared to grasp this chance in his native land, he will take the mound with particular significance as the opener against Cubs' southpaw Shota Imanaga marks the first time two Japanese pitchers have faced each other as starters in Major League Baseball history.
The difficult beginning he had in South Korea a year back is now distant from his thoughts.
“Preparation-wise, there isn’t significant variation,” Yamamoto stated. “Things did not work out for me last year, but this year, I feel quite content with my current situation.”
This weekend, during the Dodgers’ exhibition matches versus the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants, Yamamoto finds himself experiencing an interesting shift in roles. Having had assistance from his team members as they adjusted to life in the U.S. last season, he now steps into the position of the knowledgeable guide as he returns home for these games in Japan.
I try to assist whenever possible, in my own manner," Yamamoto stated. "I believe they're all appreciating this new setting.
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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
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