RSS Dodgers Team Notes

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Yoshinobu Yamamoto speaks on first Cactus League start

Tempe, AZ - February 21, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) pitches in the first inning at Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ on February 21, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Dodger baseball is officially back in session, and it began on Saturday with a thunderous 15-2 victory over the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Getting the nod for the cactus opener was the reigning World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who tossed 29 pitches over 1 2/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) while striking out three and allowing zero walks. For added benefit, his offense supplied him with a nine-run cushion entering his final frame of work.

The Dodgers’ six-run second inning gave Yamamoto a wide gap between innings, where he allowed the Angels’ only offense of the day. He remarked that he still felt great on the mound and is feeling well ahead of his next cactus start, per Sonja Chen of MLB.com.

“I was already feeling good,” Yamamoto said. “And then somehow I was able to carry that to today’s game, especially the first inning. I think I was great, but due to the gap between innings, that affected me a little bit.”

Unbeknownst to Yamamoto, Dave Roberts assumed that he would be a one-and-done before joining Team Japan for the World Baseball Classic.

“Oh, is he?” a visibly surprised Roberts said before letting out a big laugh after Saturday’s 15-2 rout of the Angels. “I was in between, but then I was like, I didn’t want to miss him for sure. So that’s good that he confirmed that, that’s great.”

Links​

With an open runway to assume the starting second base job at the beginning of the regular season, Hyeseong Kim made quite the impression on Saturday, going 2-3 with a pair of singles and three RBI. Kim spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA about his performance on Saturday, noting that he spent time this offseason working on his lower body movements.

“I spent a lot of time practicing my lower body movements, and luckily I was able to get some good results today.”

Hyeseong Kim (2-3, 3 RBI, R) discusses playing for Team Korea in the WBC, his strong start to Spring Training, his comfortability in year 2 and his skin care routine. @kirsten_watson pic.twitter.com/wVOERvprCy

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 21, 2026

The Dodgers had a 50 percent success rate in using the new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system, but don’t expect them to use it with high frequency. Anthony Solorzano of the Los Angeles Times writes about how the Dodgers will implement the ABS system, noting that they will take a more conservative approach when challenging balls and strikes.

“It’s good that we’re practicing in spring, but we’re having conversations about leverage and how to use it to our advantage.”

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-links/110156/yoshinobu-yamamoto-hyeseong-kim-abs-system

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Another big inning fuels Dodgers’ win over Padres

PEORIA, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 22: Kyle Tucker #23 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates with Will Smith #16 after scoring on a double hit by Nick Senzel #15 against the San Diego Padres during the third inning of a spring training game at Peoria Stadium on February 22, 2026 in Peoria, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Big innings have defined the first weekend of Dodgers spring training games so far. Sunday included a four-run third inning that fueled a 5-1 win over the San Diego Padres in Peoria.

Will Smith got the scoring started with an RBI single in the third inning, one of his two hits, and non-roster infielder Nick Senzel hit a two-run double to score both Smith and newcomer Kyle Tucker in his Dodgers debut. Senzel doubled twice against San Diego.

Nick Senzel clears the bags for a 2-run double #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/rXs6CeC2uG

— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) February 22, 2026

Josue De Paula added an RBI single in the ninth inning to cap the scoring, but some trouble getting to a few balls in and around left field.

Scoring on Sunday wasn’t as prevalent as Saturday in Tempe, when the Dodgers had innings of three, six, and four runs in a rout of the Angels. But then again, they didn’t need much offense on Sunday, thanks to a bevy of arms throttling the Padres bats.

Jackson Ferris started and worked around a walk and single for a scoreless first inning. Chris Campos struck out two in a perfect third inning.

Will Klein pitched a clean, 10-pitch second inning, one of two Dodgers on the 40-man roster to pitch in this one.

Ronan Kopp’s first spring training game as a member of big league camp came on the anniversary of his first major league spring training game last year. The left-hander appeared in two games up from the minor league side of camp last spring, both in February. This time, after getting added to the 40-man roster in November, Kopp on Sunday allowed a two-out double then committed a throwing error on what would have been an inning-ending groundout in the eighth.

That was the only run allowed by the Dodgers all game. In all, nine different Dodgers pitchers combined to allow five hits and three walks in the win, with just the one unearned run.

Up next​

After two road games, the Dodgers play on their home field of Camelback Ranch with a game against the Seattle Mariners on Monday (12:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Landon Knack starts for the Dodgers, with Logan Gilbert on the mound for Seattle.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/110181/will-smith-nick-senzel-padres-shutout

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitching preparation takes different forms

Phoenix, AZ - February 20, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) plays catch during Los Angeles Dodgers' spring training in Camelback Ranch, Phoenix, AZ on February 20, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

Before the Dodgers played the Padres on Sunday in Peoria, morning work at Camelback Ranch included both Shohei Ohtani and Edwin Díaz pitching to hitters.

The appetizer before the Dodgers play the Padres later today: Shohei Ohtani and Edwin Díaz live BP at Camelback Ranch. Batters included Muncy, Betts, Freeman and Pages. pic.twitter.com/HAewicjVkO

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) February 22, 2026

Ohtani did not make the trip to play in Peoria and be the designated hitter in part because he pitched two simulated innings against Dodgers hitters in his final day of this sting in camp. That’s part of his pitching ramp up toward the season which, like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, will be interrupted as the duo heads to Tokyo to be with Japan for pool play in the World Baseball Classic. Yamamoto will pitch once more for the Dodgers, on Friday, before departing.

But unlike Yamamoto, Ohtani won’t pitch during the WBC. So he’ll have to find time to build up his arm in preparation to pitch near the beginning of the regular season, in what will be his first full two-way season since 2023 with the Angels. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman on Tuesday at Camelback Ranch said Ohtani is expected to be ready to pitch in the rotation at the beginning of the season, even though the path to get there might not be traditional.

“For now we’ll continue his throwing progression, but not necessarily getting into games, and figure out what he’s able to accomplish while he’s in Japan on those off days,” Friedman said. “Then we’ll be to slide him here back into our rotation as quickly as possible.”

Manager Dave Roberts on Sunday talked about Ohtani leaving for Tokyo.

#Dodgers Dave Roberts: "He is ready to leave. I don’t know if he is leaving today or tomorrow but today was his last day here in Arizona. … We’re going to miss him but I’m looking forward to watching him compete for Team Japan."

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 22, 2026

Meanwhile, Yamamoto will be pitching in games during the WBC, in addition to the one Cactus League start already under his belt Saturday and his upcoming Friday start in Scottsdale, such that when he returns he should be nearly fully built up for the start of the season through game action. How he got to this point already in camp was partly due to his offseason work.

To that end, Dylan Hernández of The California Post talked with Yamamoto’s longtime trainer Osamu Yada about the grueling offseason plan:

“In December, January,” Yada said, “he pushes himself to the point of complete exhaustion.”

The training program isn’t designed so that Yamamoto can take his turn in the rotation every six or seven days. The regimen is structured so that Yamamoto can peak in the second half of the season.

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With spring training games now a few days underway, here is an essay I enjoyed from Michele Catalano about the start of the baseball season:

The arrival of spring training baseball sets off sonic, tactile memories — smells, sights, and sounds that are entwined with both spring and baseball. It ignites memories collected across more than 50 years  as a fan of the sport. I store those recollections in a small compartment in my mind until the start of each season. And then, on some February morning, I open my eyes and the floodgates open, the light streams in.

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Here’s a blast from the past from 58 years ago, offering a ticket deal for a stadium in Chavez Ravine that was entering its then seventh season.

In the 1960s and '70s, Dodger Stadium regularly hosted "Valley Day" games to tap into the growing San Fern. Valley. Up to 8,000 Valleyites would attend, often finding deals in the LA Times, Valley edition. This quaint ad from 1968 offers up 2 Field (Club) seats for only $3.50!

— LA Dork (@ladork.bsky.social) 2026-02-21T22:17:35.760Z

The 19,630 folks who were at that May 18, 1968 game saw Don Drysdale pitch his second straight shutout, on his way to a record six shutouts in a row and 58 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings. The Dodgers beat the Astros 1-0, with the only run coming in the sixth inning on a Wes Parker single, a sacrifice bunt, a groundout, then an error by shortstop Héctor Torres.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-...htani-yoshinobu-yamamoto-pitching-preparation

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers blank Mariners in 3-0 win

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Pitcher Landon Knack #96 of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a spring training game at Camelback Ranch on February 23, 2026 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Dodgers are on a roll to begin the spring as they notched their third consecutive victory with a 3-0 shutout win over the Seattle Mariners on Monday.

Landon Knack was given the start for Monday’s contest, making quick work of the Mariners by facing the minimum in the first inning while tossing just nine pitches.

Jack Dreyer made his first appearance of the spring, giving up a two-out single to Andrew Knizner but managing to escape the second inning unscathed. Ben Casparius, Kyle Hurt and Alex Vesia all made their first appearances of the spring, each notching a scoreless inning in relief.

Andy Pages added another two hits with a pair of singles in his second game of the spring, giving him four hits and a .667 batting average.

Scoring was hard to come by on Monday, even more than Sunday, but the Dodgers took advantage with runners in scoring position as Alex Freeland roped an opposite field double off of Jose A. Ferrer to plate Dalton Rushing and Santiago Espinal to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Zach Ehrhard reached on a fielding error from Rhylan Thomas to plate a run and make it a three run Dodger lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Alex for two! #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/6IOhpgB7Ta

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 23, 2026

Nick Robertson made his first appearance as a Dodger since the 2023 regular season, notching the save with a scoreless ninth inning to give the Dodgers a 3-0 start to the spring.

The Dodgers are now averaging 7.7 runs per game this spring, but they have yet to hit a home run as a team so far.

Up next​

The Dodgers are back at Camelback Ranch on Tuesday as they host the Cleveland Guardians (12:10 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA). Gavin Stone makes his spring debut against right-hander Gavin Williams.

Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-scores-standings/110237/dodgers-mariners-game-recap

 

[Los Angeles Dodgers]

Dodgers vs. Mariners game chat

Tempe, AZ - February 21, 2026: Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernández (37) hugs Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) after scoring in the first inning at Diablo Stadium, Tempe, AZ on February 21, 2026. (Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)

The Dodgers play their first home game of the spring as they take on the Seattle Mariners at Camelback Ranch. Landon Knack gets the start for the Dodgers.

Today’s #DodgersST lineup vs. Mariners: pic.twitter.com/9LhsmfXi5w

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 23, 2026

MONDAY GAME INFO​

• Teams: Dodgers vs. Mariners
• Ballpark: Camelback Ranch
• Time: 12:10 p.mm. PT
• TV: SportsNet LA
• Radio: KLAC AM 570 (simulcast), KTNQ 1020 (Spanish)

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Source: https://www.truebluela.com/dodgers-game-threads/110036/dodgers-mariners-game-chat