SURPRISE, Ariz. — 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.
Yamamoto started the second by striking out Nathaniel Lowe on three pitches and retiring Jonah Heim on a flyout to left. Working with a long, deliberate windup and a fastball that hovered in the mid-90s, Yamamoto ended his outing by striking out Leody Taveras on four pitches. «I don't think it could have gone any better,» Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. «He got to use his entire pitch mix.