Yoshinobu Yamamoto returns to WBC as Japan's ace

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 27, is set to lead Samurai Japan in the World Baseball Classic and is expected to start Japan's March 6 opener in Tokyo; he prepared with Cactus League starts and has discussed workload limits with the Dodgers.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return to the World Baseball Classic as Samurai Japan's top pitcher. He is 27 and was part of Japan's WBC-winning rotation in 2023. He made two Cactus League starts for the Dodgers, including a three-inning outing in which he allowed two runs. The Dodgers and Yamamoto have discussed what his WBC role and workload should be, and he was scheduled to depart for Japan after the spring game to meet the national team in Osaka. Key details: - Yamamoto is identified as Samurai Japan's No. 1 pitcher and is expected to start Japan's opener on March 6 in Tokyo against Taiwan. - He was a member of Japan's 2023 WBC rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani and Yu Darvish. - In a recent Cactus League appearance he pitched three innings and allowed two runs (a leadoff homer and a run-scoring double). - Tournament pitch limits are 65 pitches in group-stage games, 80 in the quarterfinals and 95 in the championship round. - Any pitcher who throws more than 50 pitches in a game is not allowed to pitch for the next four days. Summary: Yamamoto is focused on preparing for his WBC starts while coordinating pitch limits and workload with the Dodgers. He was scheduled to leave for Japan after the Cactus League game and to join Samurai Japan in Osaka ahead of the March 6 game in Tokyo.