Inside The Dodgers

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto Part of Early Dodgers Spring Training Plan

Matthew Moreno|
Jun 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) congratulates starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) after the third inning against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
Jun 1, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) congratulates starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) after the third inning against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images | Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

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Los Angeles Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training schedule begins Saturday with a matchup against the Los Angeles Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium.

Overall this spring the Dodgers are playing 28 Cactus League games, plus an exhibition against Team Mexico, and the Freeway Series back in Southern California. SportsNet LA is going to have live coverage of 30 exhibition games the Dodgers play this spring.

The only omissions being the road games during split-squad action on both Feb. 28 and March 15.

While this year is a more traditional Spring Training for the Dodgers, they are among the teams having to contend with players leaving camp to participate in the World Baseball Classic. Their group consists of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shohei Ohtani (Japan), Will Smith ( USA), Edwin Díaz (Puerto Rico) and Hyeseong Kim (Korea).

Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto playing in Spring Training games

Given that the Dodgers don't face a condensed Spring Training, manager Dave Roberts suggested this week that there would be a deliberate approach to Cactus League games.

"Obviously, we've got the pitchers here, and they've been doing fine work. And the catchers are taking batting practice. Position players all arrived, are here, which is good. But I think as far as we get geared up for Saturday, there's probably going to be a few of our regulars that are not in the game," he said.

"We have a long way to go, so I don't know how the lineup is going to look in the first few days of Spring Training. Or how the pitching is going to be, which Mark (Prior) has got a handle on that."

While a full lineup and pitching plans still need to be set, Roberts has since revealed Ohtani will be in the Dodgers lineup this weekend and Yamamoto is scheduled to start in one of their first two games, per, Jack Harris of the California Post.

Ohtani being in the lineup as the Dodgers begin their schedule of Spring Training games is a reversal from last year, when he didn't play until their ninth contest due to recovering from left shoulder surgery.

Quickly getting Ohtani into Cactus League play is a byproduct of both being fully healthy this spring and needing to prepare for the WBC.

"They're ramping up. They'll be ready," Roberts said of Dodgers playing in the World Baseball Classic.

Meanwhile, the setup is similar to 2025 for Yamamoto, as he started in the Dodgers' first Cactus League game. Yamamoto is going to continue pitching for Team Japan in the WBC, while Ohtani will be limited to a DH role and need to find time for his throwing progression.

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Matthew Moreno
MATTHEW MORENO

Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is the publisher of Dodgers On SI. Matthew has covered the Los Angeles Dodgers as a credentialed reporter since the 2014 season, which has included attending multiple World Series and All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium, among other experiences. Prior to joining Dodgers On SI, Matthew most recently was the Executive Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com.

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