GLENDALE, Ariz. — In an impressive display, Yoshinobu Yamamoto showcased his pitching skills by striking out seven batters over five innings during one of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ final spring training games on Monday. Facing the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch, the pitcher threw a total of 75 pitches, with his fastball reaching a notable 97 mph. Yamamoto’s splitter was particularly effective, accounting for four of the strikeouts. In this strong showing, he allowed one run on four hits and issued a single walk in what was his last performance of the spring training season.
Highlighting expectations for the opening of the regular season, Yamamoto is on schedule to pitch for the Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18. Accompanying him, Shohei Ohtani is anticipated to take on the role of designated hitter. Ohtani made a significant impact during the same game, sending a fast-flying 118.5 mph double into the field during the first inning. Despite grounding out in the second and striking out in the fourth, the reigning National League MVP is showing promising form as he redeems himself on the field.
Ohtani’s stats for the spring reveal his solid performance, having accumulated six hits out of 17 at-bats, yielding a batting average of .353. These include two doubles and a home run. Ohtani, who underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason, is actively seeking to regain his top form.
Looking forward to their final spring training match, the Dodgers have rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki slated to start on Tuesday. Sasaki is also expected to contribute as the starter for the second game against the Cubs in Japan on March 19. This final matchup will provide both fans and the team a good look at how the team is shaping up for the upcoming season.
