Yamamoto takes ugly spring stats into season debut
SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA » For the past three months, the only number that seemed to matter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the $325 million he signed for with the Dodgers.
Now there is another number attached to the Japanese right-hander — his 8.38 ERA in three Cactus League starts.
Impressive as he was at times with 14 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings, Yamamoto also gave up 15 hits and walked four in that time.
“There was certainly some contact,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Balls out over the plate. There were some uncharacteristic walks in there. I don't see the walk in play this year. I do think there's going to be some contact, but a punchout when it's needed. So I'm not thinking too much of those outings. I think once the bell rings there's a heightened focus. I think getting him built up, keeping him healthy as he's opened the season was the biggest win and we'll go from there.”
Yamamoto admitted a mixture of nerves and excitement heading into his MLB debut today against the San Diego Padres in Seoul — but no concern about the spring results.
“So my spring numbers were not good. I admit that,” he said through his interpreter. “But other than that, I found some adjustments. So I'm not really concerned about that.”
One thing Yamamoto was concerned about – though he wouldn't admit it — was pitch tipping. The question came up in his first start against the Texas Rangers and he appeared to be working on an adjustment in his final Cactus League start, varying the position of his glove in his pre-pitch setup.
“Yes, I made a little bit of an adjustment in my hand position,” he acknowledged Wednesday. “But I feel now I did everything I could do and made that adjustment.”
Injured pitchers
The Dodgers set their season-opening roster before Wednesday's game and placed pitchers Brusdar Graterol (shoulder), Walker Buehler (Tommy John surgery), Emmet Sheehan (shoulder) and Blake Treinen (bruised lung) on the injured list.
Graterol, Buehler and Sheehan did not make the trip to Seoul, but Treinen did. The Dodgers were
Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was 16-6 with a 1.21ERA in Japan last year.
hopeful he would have recovered enough to pitch in this series after he was hit by a line drive back to the mound over a week ago.
“It's just not progressing like we would like,” Roberts said. “He's playing catch still, a slower program.”
Sheehan has ramped up his throwing program at Camelback Ranch, according to Roberts, and threw to hitters for a simulated inning.
“He threw an inning, sitting 95,” Roberts said. “He'll probably throw another `pen in two, three days and then throw to hitters again and probably ramp up to two innings.”
Sheehan will build up as a starter and won't be available for some time. Graterol and Treinen won't be eligible until April 4. Buehler is expected to make his return from Tommy John surgery some time in May.
Early concern
A bomb threat delivered by email threatened to target the Dodgers-Padres game Wednesday at Gocheok Sky Dome was determined by local officials to be false.
According to Yonhap News Agency, police searched the stadium and found “no dangerous or suspicious situation.” The email sender was written in English and traced to Japan. Police identified the sender as someone with a history of making false threats.
Major League Baseball released a statement saying, “MLB, along with the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency and other local officials will continue to monitor the situation closely and take any appropriate steps throughout the event.”
Up next
Padres (RHP Joe Musgrove, 10-3, 3.05 ERA in 2023) vs. Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, MLB debut) at Gocheok Sky Dome, 3 a.m. PT today, ESPN, SportsNet LA, 570 AM