Dodgers Take on Angels in Spring Training Opener

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani set to make early appearances

Feb. 21, 2026 at 5:38am

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The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels will face off in their first Cactus League exhibition game of the spring on Saturday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium in Arizona. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is scheduled to make the start, while Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani will start at designated hitter for his new team.

Why it matters

This early spring training matchup between the two Los Angeles-area MLB teams provides a preview of the upcoming season and allows fans to get an early look at key players like Yamamoto and Ohtani as they prepare for the 2026 campaign.

The details

Yamamoto, who will leave the Dodgers next week to join Japan's team for the World Baseball Classic, is making what will be his only spring start before departing. Ohtani, who joined the Dodgers in the offseason, is getting an early start to his game action this spring. Angels pitcher José Soriano is set to start on the mound for the home team.

  • The game is scheduled for Saturday, February 21, 2026 at 12:10 p.m. PT.

The players

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

A starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers who is making his only spring training start before leaving to join Japan's team for the World Baseball Classic.

Shohei Ohtani

The two-way star who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason and is making an early appearance in the Cactus League exhibition game.

José Soriano

The starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels in the spring training matchup against the Dodgers.

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What they’re saying

“Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets the start for the Cactus League lid-lifter (hat tip to Bill Plunkett), making what will be his only start before leaving next week to join Japan for the World Baseball Classic.”

— Eric Stephen, Author

“Shohei Ohtani will start at designated hitter in his earliest game action in spring since joining the Dodgers.”

— Eric Stephen, Author

“the Angels 'will have almost their entire projected everyday lineup when they face the Dodgers in the first Cactus League exhibition game on Saturday,' though Mike Trout is not expected to start.”

— Jeff Fletcher, Orange County Register reporter

What’s next

Fans will be eager to see how Yamamoto and Ohtani perform in this early spring training matchup as they prepare for the 2026 MLB season.

The takeaway

This Cactus League exhibition game between the Dodgers and Angels provides an exciting early look at some of the top talent in the Los Angeles area, setting the stage for what should be an intriguing 2026 campaign between the two crosstown rivals.