Dodgers Rookie Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Debut Ends in Disappointment

When the Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract this offseason, they made it clear that they were all in on the rookie who had yet to throw a pitch in Major League Baseball.

His first career start began on Wednesday against the San Diego Padres and brought disappointing results. Yamamoto was lifted after one inning and the Dodgers eventually lost 15-11.

According to Juan Toribio of MLB.com, Yamamoto became the first Dodgers starter since at least 1901 to allow five runs in his Major League debut in an outing that lasted one or fewer innings. It’s also the shortest outing by a Dodgers starter making his MLB debut since Ralph Mauriello in 1958.

Yamamoto’s final line was 1.0 inning, four hits, five earned runs, two strikeouts, and one walk. He thew a total of 43 pitches with only 23 for a strike.

His lack of command combined with constant pressure appeared to make Yamamoto uncomfortable early and he never settled in.

Xander Bogaerts smoked the first pitch of the game, a 96 mph fastball for a lead-off single, Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch and Jake Cronenworth launched a hanging splitter to right field for a triple. What little confidence Yamamoto had at that point was gone.

“I was not able to control my pitches, which led to too many runs,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter during his postgame press conference. “I’m going to review what was wrong today and reset my mind, and get ready for the next outing.”

The early 5-0 hole ballooned to 9-2 in the third but the Dodgers never gave up. Mookie Betts launched his first home run of the season and finished the game going 4-for-5 with six RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. It was the fourth time in Betts’ career that he drove in at least six runs in a game and his first time as a Dodger. Will Smith also had a four-hit day for the Dodgers with two RBIs and a run scored. He only had one four-hit game all last season.

The Dodgers clawed their way back to pull within a run in the eighth but a three-run home off the bat of Manny Machado in the ninth sealed their fate.

Los Angeles returns home for a three-game exhibition series against the Los Angeles Angels beginning Sunday and then celebrate their home opener against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday.