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The Los Angeles Dodgers have named reigning World Series Most Valuable Player Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the team’s 2026 Opening Day starting pitcher. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters on Monday that Yamamoto would start against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the season opener on March 26.
Yamamoto was also the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter for the 2025 season. It was his second season with the Dodgers after signing a 12-year, $325 million contract with Los Angeles ahead of the 2024 season.
“It is a pretty easy decision, considering that it’s an honor to be the Opening Day starter,” Roberts said, per MLB. “He started for us last year on the road. But for him to get that start on Opening Day at home, I think it’s going to be special.”
In two seasons with the Dodgers, he has won two World Series championships. Roberts also told reporters earlier in spring training that Yamamoto wants to win his first Cy Young Award.
“He wants to be great,” Roberts said in February, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. “He wants to win a Cy Young. He hasn’t done that yet, so that’s a carrot. But I think he prides himself on being consistent and being really good. Every time he takes the ball, he expects to win, we expect to win, and then you sort of look back at the season and see where you’re at.”
Yamamoto Pitched for Team Japan in 2026 World Baseball Classic
Yamamoto joined two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani on Team Japan for the 2026 World Baseball Classic this month. Ohtani did not pitch for Japan, but Yamamoto was the starting pitcher for the quarterfinals matchup against Team Venezuela on Saturday.
It marked his second start of the tournament after not pitching a scoreless start against Chinese Taipei on March 6.
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Mar 14, 2026; Miami, FL, United States; Japan starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) delivers a pitch against Venezuela in the first inning during a quarterfinal game of the 2026 World Baseball Classic at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Against Venezuela, Yamamoto gave up a leadoff home run to 2023 National League Most Valuable Player Ronald Acuña Jr. on his second pitch of the outing. Across four total innings on the mound, Yamamoto allowed two earned runs, four hits and one walk while striking out five batters.
Venezuela ultimately upset the defending World Baseball Classic champions by a score of 8-5 to advance to the semifinals.
Yamamoto has not returned to spring training as of Monday. But he is expected to make one more Cactus League start before Opening Day, which will likely be against the San Diego Padres on Friday.
Photo Credit: Matt Kartozian-Imagn Images
The post Dodgers Select Yoshinobu Yamamoto As 2026 Opening Day Starter appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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