Japanese Pitchers Shine in MLB as Dodgers and Cubs Prepare for Tokyo Series

Roki Sasaki, Shota Imanaga, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are leading a new wave of Japanese pitching talent, with Sasaki set to make his MLB debut in Japan.

Roki Sasaki, a 23-year-old right-hander for the Los Angeles Dodgers, impressed during spring training with seven scoreless innings and is set to debut in Game 2 of the Dodgers-Cubs series in Tokyo.
Shota Imanaga, a left-handed pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, brings a deceptive six-pitch repertoire and enters the season as the ace of the Cubs' rotation after an All-Star 2024 campaign.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also with the Dodgers, overcame injuries last season to play a pivotal role in their World Series win and is slated to start Game 1 in Tokyo.
Shohei Ohtani, recovering from Tommy John surgery, will focus on hitting at the start of the season, with plans to gradually return to pitching later in the year.
The Dodgers and Cubs are beginning their MLB season with a unique two-game series in Japan, highlighting the global appeal of baseball and the prominence of Japanese talent in the league.