LOS ANGELES – Yoshinobu Yamamoto envisioned his destiny as a teenager and he is about two weeks away from seeing at least one more part of it fulfilled.
Yamamoto famously said at his introductory press conference in December that at the age of 19, he was in Los Angeles during the Dodgers’ 2017 playoff run and was locked into watching Kenta Maeda pitch amid the tense atmosphere.
If his well-known love for the Dodgers was not yet sealed, it was at that point as the Dodgers made their way to Game 7 of the World Series against the Houston Astros. Maeda pitched in nine games for the Dodgers in those playoffs, while fellow Japan countryman Yu Darvish made four starts.
Yamamoto will now step into their shoes for his first MLB playoff game, likely in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, assuming the Dodgers complete their task of clinching the NL West title.
“Since the beginning when I came here, I was thinking about playing in October and then win a championship with this team,” Yamamoto said Saturday through an interpreter.
At some point during Yamamoto’s 12-year contract, that is worth $325 million, it was bound to happen. But that first chance to pitch in the MLB playoffs nearly slipped from his grasp with a shoulder injury that only recently subsided.
As he prepares to face the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon, Yamamoto is quickly getting playoff ready with a pair of scoreless outings since he returned. They both have been on the short side, at four innings each, and he might be able to progress to six innings and 90 pitches Sunday.
“So the last few outings there was both sides, both good and bad,” Yamamoto said. “But I still have time to improve. I think I am going to have two more outings so I will use those for good preparation.”
Manager Dave Roberts hasn’t known Yamamoto for a full year but he knows enough now to be impressed with the pitcher’s drive. Roberts was asked if it was more impressive with how healthy Yamamoto has looked in his last two starts or how competitive he has been.
“Not surprised on either account,” Roberts said. “Not surprised how quick he came back because of the work that I knew he was putting in. Not surprised on how competitive and how good Yoshinobu has been given where we’re at on the calendar, and how important these starts are for him.”
In his lone outing against the Rockies this season June 1, Yamamoto gave up just one run on seven hits over six innings. It was the last time he earned a win.
ONE MORE OPTION
Even though Tony Gonsolin has not pitched in the major leagues all season, the Dodgers can envision the right-hander as a swing man on a playoff staff.
Gonsolin made what could have been his final rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday and his next outing could be with the Dodgers over the next week. Gonsolin last pitched for the Dodgers on Aug. 18 last season before undergoing Tommy John surgery.
Options for Gonsolin in the playoffs include starting games, picking up an inning here or there out of the bullpen or even absorbing up three or four innings in a game while he partners with another pitcher doing the same.
“I think this year, the unconventional is certainly a very high possibility,” Roberts said when asked about Gonsolin. “Again, once we kind of get through the season and see who’s viable, then we’ll start trying to figure out roles for guys.”
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BUSY WORKLOAD
Shohei Ohtani had another bullpen session Saturday as he progresses toward a role in the rotation next season, keeping a jammed tight schedule as he has moved past 50 home runs and 50 stolen bases as a hitter.
Ohtani revealed this week that he is set to have a meeting with Dodgers decision makers to map a path forward for his continued rehab, but Roberts said that get-together has not yet happened.
“I was actually out there watching his bullpen from afar and he looks really good,” Roberts said. “But yeah, I think that the powers that be are going to get together and figure out what’s the best course of action for him.
UP NEXT
Rockies (RHP Antonio Senzatela, 0-0, 0.00 ERA) at Dodgers (RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, 6-2, 2.63 ERA), 6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 830-AM