Trending Now - Dodgers Set for Season Opener With Yamamoto and Ohtani
WHO:
Manager Dave Roberts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Shohei Ohtani, Samurai Japan, Venezuela
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers, Manager Dave Roberts, Samurai Japan, Ronald Acuña Jr., Freddie Freeman, Paul Skenes, Cristopher Sánchez, Curt Schilling, Orel Hershiser, Kyle Tucker, Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani
WHAT:
Yamamoto will make his first Opening Day start at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
Yamamoto was the first and last pitcher used by the Dodgers in the 2025 World Series.
Yamamoto held opponents to two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings (2.70 ERA) in two starts during the World Baseball Classic.
Ohtani appeared in one game during Spring Training, going 1-for-3 with a single.
Yamamoto named Opening Day starter for the Dodgers for the second consecutive year.
Dodgers' regular-season opener scheduled for March 26, 2026, against the Arizona Diamondbacks at 5:30 p.m. PT.
Yamamoto's 2025 season statistics: 12 wins, 8 losses, 2.49 ERA in 30 starts.
Yamamoto finished third in the NL Cy Young Award voting in 2025.
Yamamoto pitched consecutive complete games in the NL Championship Series Game 2 and World Series Game 2.
Yamamoto was the winning pitcher in three of the Dodgers' four World Series victories in 2025.
Yamamoto earned World Series MVP honors in 2025.
In the World Baseball Classic, Yamamoto allowed two earned runs in 6 2/3 innings with a 2.70 ERA.
Yamamoto's record contract: $325 million over 12 years.
Yamamoto's career statistics with the Dodgers: 19 wins, 10 losses, 2.66 ERA in 48 regular-season starts; 7 wins, 0 losses, 2.25 ERA in 10 playoff games.
WHERE:
Glendale, Arizona; Dodger Stadium; Tokyo Dome; Camelback Ranch; Toronto; Venezuela
WHEN:
The Dodgers will raise the championship banner on March 26, 2026, before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Opening Day on March 26, 2026.
Last year’s Opening Day was on March 30, 2025.
Yamamoto's last elimination game loss was on March 11, 2026, against Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic quarterfinals.
Yamamoto's complete game in World Series Game 2 occurred in 2025.
WHY:
Manager Dave Roberts stated, "It never feels good not to win it, the WBC," regarding the disappointment of the World Baseball Classic.
Manager Dave Roberts stated it was an "honor" for Yamamoto to be the Opening Day starter.
The Dodgers aim to defend their championship and pursue a third consecutive title.
HOW:
Ohtani kept his arm active by throwing bullpen sessions while with Samurai Japan.
Yamamoto pitched on short rest in the World Series, throwing six innings in Game 6 and 2 2/3 innings in Game 7.
(UPDATED March 17, 2026 01:30 UTC)
On March 26, 2026, the Dodgers will raise their championship banner before facing the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to make his first Opening Day start at Dodger Stadium. Last year, Yamamoto was the first and last pitcher used by the Dodgers in the World Series, and he held opponents to just two earned runs in 6 and two-thirds innings during the World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani participated in one Spring Training game, going 1-for-3 with a single, while also keeping his arm active by throwing bullpen sessions with Samurai Japan.
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(UPDATED March 16, 2026 21:13 UTC)
In a significant announcement, the Los Angeles Dodgers have named Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their Opening Day starter for the second consecutive year, with the regular-season opener set for March 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Last season, Yamamoto had an impressive record of 12 wins and 8 losses, along with a 2.49 ERA, and he earned World Series MVP honors after contributing to three of the Dodgers' four victories in 2025. Manager Dave Roberts expressed that it is an "honor" for Yamamoto to take the mound as they aim to defend their championship and pursue a third consecutive title.