MESA, Ariz. – A New Season for Yamamoto
Last fall, Yoshinobu Yamamoto secured the final out for the Dodgers, bringing their World Series title defense to a close.
Now, he’s set to take the mound again, starting the opening game on March 26. This marks the beginning of the team’s quest for a historic third consecutive championship in 2026.
Manager Dave Roberts shared on Monday that Yamamoto will kick off the Dodgers’ regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks later this month. Interestingly, this will be the second year in a row that he has been honored with the opening pitch, having previously started in Tokyo last March.
In the 2025 season, he not only became a Cy Young Award finalist but also earned the title of World Series MVP, solidifying his status as the ace pitcher for the team.
Yamamoto led the Dodgers last season as their most effective pitcher, with 30 starts, a record of 12-8, and an impressive ERA of 2.49. He finished third in the Cy Young voting as well.
During the playoffs, his performance stood out—posting a 5-1 record and a remarkable 1.45 ERA in October, which included two complete games and noteworthy relief appearances, even stepping in during Game 7 of the World Series without any rest.
It’s fair to say that the high demands of last season haven’t hampered Yamamoto’s progress. He bulked up over the offseason and arrived at camp ahead of schedule, prepping for the World Baseball Classic. In his two outings for Japan, he allowed just two runs over 6 2/3 innings while striking out seven batters.
Roberts commented on Yamamoto earlier this week, highlighting his dedication and preparation. “Being a competitor means being ready for the big moments,” he said, noting how Yamamoto’s unique training helps him thrive despite being, well, not the tallest on the field at 5-foot-10. Essentially, preparation diminishes doubts, and that’s a core part of who he is.
Yamamoto’s first pitch this season will make him the first Dodgers pitcher to replicate the continuous opening day role since Clayton Kershaw, who held it for eight seasons from 2011 to 2018.
Last year’s season opener was notable; Yamamoto went five innings against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo, allowing just one run on a single hit while striking out four.
