Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Dodgers ‘Understand’ WBC Pull as He Commits to Pitch for Japan

5 months ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Dodgers ‘Understand’ WBC Pull as He Commits to Pitch for Japan

With the WBC overlapping Spring Training, Yamamoto said he spoke with the Dodgers before deciding to pitch for Samurai Japan. “The Dodgers understand how big the WBC tournament is in Japan,” he said through an interpreter. “The Dodgers and the WBC… are very important to me equally.” Yamamoto said he’ll “do my best” while still working out hard.

By Nischay Rathore

Other articles from MLB

Shohei Ohtani Falls a Triple Short of Cycle in Dominant WBC Opener

5 months ago

Shohei Ohtani Falls a Triple Short of Cycle in Dominant WBC Opener

Ohtani powered Samurai Japan’s WBC opener vs Chinese Taipei, going 3-for-4 with a double, grand slam and RBI single. His only out was a line drive to first. Ohtani finished one triple shy of the cycle and exited in the seventh. The explosive night pushed his WBC line to a .750 average with 1 HR, 5 RBI and a 2.500 OPS.

By Abhay Aggarwal

5 months ago

Japan Mercy-Rules Chinese Taipei 13–0 as Shohei Ohtani Falls a Hit Shy of Cycle

Ohtani powered Japan to a 13–0 mercy-rule win over Chinese Taipei in the 2026 WBC opener. He went 3-for-4 with a double, grand slam and RBI single, finishing one hit shy of the cycle before being lifted in the seventh. Japan’s pitching allowed just one hit as the game ended early under the tournament’s mercy rule.

By Abhay Aggarwal

“I Knew It Was Gone”: Shohei Ohtani Describes His Home Run in Japan's 13-0 Mercy-Rule Win

5 months ago

“I Knew It Was Gone”: Shohei Ohtani Describes His Home Run in Japan's 13-0 Mercy-Rule Win

Ohtani delivered a dominant night as Samurai Japan crushed Chinese Taipei national baseball team 13-0 in a mercy-rule win. Ohtani went 3-for-4 with a double, grand slam and RBI single for five RBls. "The moment I hit it, I knew it would be a home run," he said, adding he'll "get plenty of sleep and prepare for tomorrow."

By Abhay Aggarwal

Clarke Schmidt Blames Sweeper Grip Change for 2025 Arm Injury

5 months ago

Clarke Schmidt Blames Sweeper Grip Change for 2025 Arm Injury

“Think the No. 1 thing that played a factor was mid-season grip changes,” Schmidt said, blaming a tweaked sweeper grip for the forearm stress that led to a Tommy John surgery. The Yankees righty, who earned 3.32 in 2025, plans to scrap that version, start bullpens after spring, and target a second-half return. “I’m very hungry… very driven,” he added.

By Tanish Chachra

Kai Correa’s ‘Aggressive’ Drills Are Fueling Mets’ Defensive Reset

5 months ago

Kai Correa’s ‘Aggressive’ Drills Are Fueling Mets’ Defensive Reset

“Run prevention is where we fell short,” David Stearns said after the Mets’ defensive issues defined 2025. Now, new bench coach Kai Correa is reshaping camp with rapid-fire drills, tighter stations, and detail-heavy instruction. “That guy is really good,” Jorge Polanco said. Mendoza called the ex-Guardians coach “one of the best defensive coaches in the league.”

By Tanish Chachra

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