Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be the one to take the mound on March 26 to face the Arizona Diamondbacks, marking the start of the 2026 Major League Baseball regular season.
With this designation, Yamamoto not only takes on the responsibility of the first game of the year, but also becomes the first Dodgers pitcher to repeat as Opening Day starter since Clayton Kershaw’s historic eight-year streak (2011-2018).
The rise of Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the Dodgers
Yamamoto’s status as an ace is no longer in doubt. The Japanese is coming off a dream 2025 where he cemented his legend in Los Angeles by being a finalist for the Cy Young Award and, most importantly, taking home World Series MVP honors.
His performance in last year’s postseason was tremendous with these numbers:
- 5-1 record with a 1.45 ERA.
- Two full games released in October.
- A heroic relief appearance in Game 7 of the World Series, pitching on no rest to secure the back-to-back championship.
Yamamoto’s great preparation
Despite last year’s heavy workload, Yamamoto has shown no signs of fatigue. During the offseason, the pitcher focused on increasing his muscle mass to strengthen his 1.78-meter frame, an unusual height for a pitcher of his power, but one he has been able to take advantage of thanks to a unique training program.
“Part of being a great competitor in big moments is preparation,” Dave Roberts said. “When you prepare the right way, you eliminate doubt and fear. That’s the essence of Yoshinobu.”
Yamamoto arrives with competitive rhythm after shining with the Japan national team in the recent World Baseball Classic, where he recorded seven strikeouts in just over six innings of work, however, at a collective level the performance was not the best, as they were eliminated early.
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