Yamamoto To Pitch Three Innings in First WBC Outing

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will pitch just three innings in Team Japan’s first WBC game, per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya.

Team Japan opens their WBC campaign against Chinese Taipei Friday at 2:00 a.m. PT, and are looking to get off to a strong start with their best pitcher out on the mound. Yamamoto pitched similarly short outings during the 2023 WBC, with his sole start lasting just four innings.

He made two appearances in the previous installment of the tournament, pitching a total of 7.1 innings while allowing two earned runs for a 2.45 ERA. He led Team Japan with 12 strikeouts.

While he didn’t pitch in the final, Yamamoto played a key role in winning Team Japan their third WBC championship, which is the most of any other nation in the tournament’s history. Since he’s pitching so early on this time around, it’s safe to assume he will make at least one more appearance before the end of the event.

Yamamoto made two spring training appearances for the Dodgers prior to his departure to Team Japan, pitching a total of 4.2 innings in the Cactus League. He allowed one earned run through 1.2 innings with three strikeouts in his first competitive outing of 2026, and pitched three innings in his second outing, allowing two runs and striking out four batters.

Feb 27, 2026; Scottsdale, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) throws against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning at Scottsdale Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto Team Japan’s Best Pitcher?

Yamamoto headlines Team Japan’s rotation for the 2026 WBC, and is clearly the team’s best pitcher with Shohei Ohtani restricted from taking the mound.

Yamamoto has only gotten better since the 2023 WBC, moving to MLB and becoming an All-Star during the time in between the tournaments. He has a career 2.66 ERA in MLB, and had a Cy Young-caliber season in 2025.

Through 30 starts, Yamamoto posted a 2.49 ERA and struck out 201 batters, leading MLB in hits per nine innings. He placed third in voting for the award, finishing behind Paul Skenes and Cristopher Sanchez.

He isn’t Japan’s only MLB arm, though, as they also have All-Star Yusei Kikuchi and Tomoyuki Sugano on their roster.

Team Japan will hope Yamamoto can perform as he has for the last several years as they look to start their WBC title defense on a good note.

Do you think Japan will win the 2026 WBC?

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