PEORIA, Ariz. — Each time Yoshinobu Yamamoto will get on a mound, there’s a big crowd that follows.
After Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325 million deal, changing into the most costly pitcher in Main League historical past regardless of by no means throwing a pitch within the Majors, there’s been loads of intrigue surrounding the 25-year-old right-hander.
In his first dwell batting observe session, Yamamoto drew rave critiques from his teammates. Freddie Freeman referred to as it “unimaginable” whereas Mookie Betts actually gave him a standing ovation after he was fooled a number of instances by numerous pitches.
On Thursday at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Yamamoto went by his second dwell BP of the spring. This one was longer than the primary, with Yamamoto simulating two innings.
“I’ve been feeling good,” Yamamoto stated by interpreter Hiro Sonoda. “I’m simply pretending this can be a actual sport. In all probability the subsequent step will likely be an actual sport that I throw.”
That begin doubtless will come on Tuesday or Wednesday, assuming the Dodgers hold him on a standard schedule. On Thursday, Freeman, Jason Heyward and Miguel Vargas had been among the many hitters within the field in opposition to Yamamoto. Shohei Ohtani was scheduled to face Yamamoto however by no means got here out to hit on the sphere.
Yamamoto restricted any exhausting contact all through his session. His breaking pitches had been sharp all day, significantly in opposition to Heyward, whom he fanned a number of instances.
“I’m wanting ahead to pitching within the Cactus League,” Yamamoto stated. “However I’m taking this critically and getting myself prepared for the common season.”
“I don’t suppose that’s official but,” Yamamoto stated, “but when I throw throughout that sequence, it might be such an honor. And I’ll do my greatest to contribute to successful the sport.”
Again in actionIt has been an extended 12 months for Gavin Lux, who tore his proper ACL and LCL and suffered vital injury to his hamstring final spring. After an extended rehab course of, Lux is again wholesome and can, as soon as once more, assume the tasks of being the Dodgers’ beginning shortstop.
Lux made his return to the sphere on Thursday afternoon within the Dodgers’ 14-1 victory over the Padres on the Peoria Sports activities Complicated, coincidently the identical place the place he suffered the devastating harm final spring.
“It simply felt good to run round and be a baseball participant once more, particularly coming again right here the place I actually blew it out,” Lux stated. “It’s simply enjoyable to get some at-bats and really feel regular once more and do what you grew up doing.”
Lux will play shortstop over the subsequent couple of days and is anticipated to be full go the remainder of the spring. He’ll function the staff’s beginning shortstop.
“I feel getting out within the sport and enjoying in an precise sport and never a dwell BP or an intrasquad is form of the final field to verify,” Lux stated. “And now I’ve obtained to see how I bounce again for tomorrow and go from there.”
Stone steps upGavin Stone, the Dodgers’ No. 4 prospect within the MLB Pipeline rankings, obtained the beginning on Thursday and retired the aspect so as in his solely inning. Stone flashed some improved velocity, flashing a pair of 96 mph heaters. His greatest pitch, nonetheless, was one among his signature changeups to strike out Fernando Tatis Jr.
Together with Emmet Sheehan, Stone is without doubt one of the starters competing for the No. 5 spot within the rotation. Michael Grove can also be within the combine, and the right-hander pitched a scoreless second inning.
“I really feel like we’re all competing in opposition to one another,” Stone stated. “However on the similar time, all of us root for one another and pull for one another. So there’s undoubtedly competitors. However throw up zeros and put your self in a great spot.”
Offense begins strongThe Dodgers scored eight runs within the prime of the primary inning in opposition to the Padres, with the massive hit coming from Kevin Padlo, a two-run homer off Carter Loewen. Newcomer Teoscar Hernández additionally contributed with a two-run double in his first at-bat of the spring.
