Dodgers' Yamamoto to Start One More Time Before World Baseball Classic

Pitcher will make final spring training appearance on February 27 before joining Team Japan.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 10:06pm

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Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers' right-handed pitcher, will make one more start for the team in spring training on February 27 before departing to join Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic. Yamamoto had a mixed outing in his first spring training appearance on Saturday, with a perfect first inning followed by a shaky second inning where he gave up two runs.

Why it matters

Yamamoto is a key part of the Dodgers' pitching rotation, and his performance in the World Baseball Classic will be important for both the Dodgers and Team Japan. The Dodgers want to ensure he is properly prepared for the regular season, while Japan will be counting on Yamamoto to be a strong contributor to their WBC squad.

The details

In his first spring training outing on Saturday against the Angels, Yamamoto had a tale of two innings. He was perfect in the first inning, striking out two batters. However, in the second inning, he gave up a double and two singles, and an error by Teoscar Hernández in left field led to two runs being charged to Yamamoto's ledger, one of them earned. Yamamoto was pulled from the game with two outs in the second inning, having thrown 29 pitches.

  • Yamamoto will make one more start for the Dodgers on February 27 in Scottsdale against the San Francisco Giants.
  • Yamamoto will then depart for Japan to join Team Japan's World Baseball Classic camp, which opens next weekend.

The players

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is preparing to represent Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic.

Teoscar Hernández

An outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who committed an error in Yamamoto's second inning of work.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of Yamamoto's performance not just for the Dodgers, but also for Team Japan as they prepare for the World Baseball Classic. The Dodgers will want to ensure Yamamoto is properly prepared for the regular season, while Japan will be counting on him to be a key contributor to their WBC squad.