Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is currently with Samurai Japan for the 2026 World Baseball Classic before returning to the Los Angeles Dodgers to finish off Spring Training.
Yamamoto has already made a start for Japan in their opening game against Taiwan. He pitched 2.2 innings while allowing no runs on no hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
After going 4-0 in Pool Play, Japan advanced to the next round, where they will face Team Venezuela in the quarterfinal on Saturday. Yamamoto is set to start that game for Japan, and it will be his final outing of the WBC, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to pitch for Team Japan in its World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Venezuela on Saturday. According to Roberts, that will be Yamamoto’s last appearance in this WBC. The 2025 World Series MVP is, however, expected to stay with Team Japan until it is eliminated from the competition.
Yamamoto will stay with Japan through the end of their run, but he will be unavailable to pitch in any of the remaining games. If Japan advances to the semifinals in Miami, Florida, their game will be played on March 16 against the winner of Italy and Puerto Rico.
If they move on to the final, that game will be held the following day on March 17 against any of the Dominican Republic, the United States, Korea, or Canada.
That means the latest Yamamoto, and Shohei Ohtani, would return to the Dodgers is one week before Spring Training ends. However, there will only be three Cactus League games left before the team returns to Los Angeles for the exhibition Freeway Series.
Opening Day is set for March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium, and Yamamoto should still be favored to start the game after one more Cactus League outing.
Shohei Ohtani expected to be part of Dodgers rotation
Although Ohtani has yet to pitch in a game this Spring Training as he’s away from the team for the WBC, he is still expected to be part of the rotation on Opening Day.
However, the team is still deciding on Ohtani’s spot in the rotation and whether or not he will have a pitch count in his first start.
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