Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto warms up as he participates in spring training workouts Tuesday, March. 5, 2024, at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix. GLENDALE, Ariz. — A lot of eyes have been on new Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto this spring, and not just when he pitches.
Mookie Betts was one of those watching Yamamoto’s unique routine. He was intrigued, so much so that he has started working with Yada Sensei himself for the past week or so. Tyler Glasnow and Walker Buehler are among a handful of pitchers that have also spoken with Yada, who has been hired by the Dodgers as a consultant to the performance staff.Betts said his motivation for giving the workouts a try is simple.
One reason Betts thinks Yamamoto’s approach might work for him as well is their similar body types. Yamamoto is listed at 5-foot-10 and 176 pounds, Betts 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds. “Whether it’s us, whether it’s our training staff or whether it’s PD , that’s something that I think is rooted in the culture of our organization – intellectual curiosity,” Prior said. “You want to know, ‘OK, why do you do these things?’ What makes it work for him? Because if it can help one other guy it’s totally worth having.
“I mean, I don’t know exactly what tangible thing you’d be able to see,” said Betts, who doesn’t plan to incorporate any javelin tossing into his workouts. Gavin Stone now appears to be the most likely candidate to fill the fifth starter role in April, though Roberts mentions Michael Grove and Ryan Yarbrough as possibilities as well.Counting an inning wiped out by rain Friday night, veteran left-hander Justin Wilson has struck out 10 of the 18 batters he has faced in Cactus League play and Roberts has noticed.