Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted one inning and was yanked after the San Diego Padres batted around to take a 5-1 lead on Thursday in an extension of the high-priced pitcher’s spring training struggles.
Yamamoto signed a $325 million contract with the Dodgers after fielding offers from the Philadelphia Phillies and both New York teams. Early returns on the 12-year deal are unsettling.
Yamamoto, 25, gave up a leadoff single to Xander Bogaerts, hit Fernando Tatis Jr. with a pitch and Jake Cronenworth roped a triple to right field before Manny Machado walked to bring pitching coach Mark Prior to the mound.
He exited after 43 pitches, one inning, four hits, five earned runs, one walk and two strikeouts.
The Dodgers allowed five runs in the first inning only one time in 2023.
After putting up an 8.38 ERA in just 9.2 innings pitched in spring training, Yamamoto said before the Seoul Series he was “not really concerned about the numbers.”
He’ll have extra rest before his second MLB start when he tries to lower his 45.00 ERA.
A two-time Pacific League MVP, Yamamoto’s contract length and overall guarantee are records for a starting pitcher.
–Field Level Media