Dodgers expect Sasaki, Yamamoto to pitch in Tokyo Series

Manager Dave Roberts said the Los Angeles Dodgers expect Japanese stars Roki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to pitch in the Tokyo Series to start the 2025 season.

"The expectation for both of those guys to pitch is real," Roberts told MLB Network on Wednesday. "That's our expectation, but as I say that, you just never know. Today is our first day of pitchers and catchers. So, things can certainly change, but at the outset, that is our anticipation."

Roberts added Yamamoto will likely start the first game, while Sasaki could toe the rubber in the second contest, according to Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

Sasaki is entering his rookie year after leaving Japan's Chiba Lotte Marines to sign a minor-league contract with the Dodgers following a high-profile pursuit this winter. The 23-year-old posted a 2.02 ERA with a 0.88 WHIP and 524 strikeouts over 414 2/3 innings across four Nippon Professional Baseball campaigns.

Yamamoto, who signed a 12-year, $325-million deal last offseason, authored a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 10.5 K/9 over 90 innings (18 starts), helping the Dodgers win the 2024 World Series. However, the 26-year-old missed almost three months due to a shoulder injury.

Meanwhile, reigning NL MVP Shohei Ohtani won't make his highly anticipated return to the mound until May.

The Dodgers and Chicago Cubs will play a two-games series at the Tokyo Dome on March 18 and 19. Left-hander Shota Imanaga will start for the Cubs in one of the contests.