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Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will hit the mound one more time before leaving for the World Baseball Classic.
The reigning World Series MVP will take the mound against the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium, with first pitch set for 12:05 p.m.
Yamamoto is expected to leave spring training and join Samurai Japan for the WBC after this second and final Cactus League appearance in 2026.
How Did Yamamoto Do in His First Start?
On Saturday, Yamamoto earned the win in a 15-2 drubbing of the Los Angeles Angels.
In that outing, he threw 1.2 innings, striking out three and giving up three hits and two runs, though only one of them was earned.
Manager Dave Roberts thought that was to be Yamamoto’s only Cactus League appearance, though he was mistaken.
“Doc came to the mound, and he said, ‘Good luck in the WBC,’” Yamamoto said via interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda, as reported by Jack Vita of the Los Angeles Times. “But actually, I have one more game to pitch.”
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Feb 21, 2026; Tempe, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto against the Los Angeles Angels during a spring training game at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
What Can Fans Expect From Yamamoto in 2026?
Speaking with the Foul Territory show, Jack Harris of the California Post said Yamamoto has come back healthy, even after a huge workload during the season and, especially, the playoffs and World Series.
“He’s going to pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic and there’s a lot of optimism around camp here that he’s going to be able to handle the WBC workload, he’s going to be able to make it through another full season feeling healthy and fresh,” Harris said.
Yamamoto prepares using unorthodox techniques, including his famous javelin throws.
He also does yoga, weighted ball throws and elevated barefoot throwing.
The techniques, done with his trainer, Osamu Yada, have been proven to work. Just look at Yamamoto’s performances in Games 6 and 7 of the 2025 World Series.
They’re so effective that Dodgers star Mookie Betts was recently spotted working out with Yada at spring training.
Images from Camelback Ranch show Yada on Betts’ shoulders, and he reportedly threw javelins as well.
After an uneven season last year, we’ll see if this is what Betts needs to return to form.
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