Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are the likely starting pitchers for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they face the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo next month, according to manager Dave Roberts. The two Japanese pitchers along with two-way star Shohei Ohtani  will be the main attraction for Japanese fans during the two MLB games on March 18 and 19.

Spring training is underway for the Boys in Blue, and the anticipation of the 2025 season is at an all-time high after a historic off-season, acquiring the likes of Japanese Phenom pitcher Roki Sasaki,

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts added that Japanese rookie Roki Sasaki could start the second of the two-game set.

Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are expected to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in season openers at Tokyo next month, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday.

Sasaki, 23, agreed to a deal with the Dodgers in January with a signing bonus reportedly worth $6.5 million. He pitched for Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines in 2024, posting a 2.35 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and recording 129 strikeouts in 111 innings pitched.

Nonetheless, the early results out of the Dodgers’ camp bode well for Sasaki’s chances of becoming an immediate producer. Manager Dave Roberts lauded the 23-year-old for improving every single ...