The 25-year-old struck Yoshinobu Yamamoto out three batters over two scoreless innings against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers, giving a glimpse into why the Los Angeles Dodgers believe the right-hander can become a big league ace.
Even Shohei Ohtani was intrigued by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s exhibition debut Wednesday, making the 30-minute drive through Phoenix suburbs in a white convertible to show his support for a fellow Japanese star, even though he wasn’t playing in the game.
Yamamoto put on quite a show.
The 25-year-old struck out three batters over two scoreless innings against the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers, giving a glimpse into why the Los Angeles Dodgers believe the right-hander can become a big league ace.
“I was just trying to do my job, trying to stay calm and focus on what I have to do,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter.
Yamamoto opened by striking out All-Star Marcus Semien on six pitches, then gave up Evan Carter’s single before Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.
