SURPRISE, Ariz. — Yoshinobu Yamamoto struck out three batters over two scoreless innings in his exhibition debut on Wednesday, giving a glimpse into why the Los Angeles Dodgers believe the Japanese right-hander can become a big league ace,
Yamamoto opened by striking out Texas Rangers All-Star Marcus Semien on six pitches, then gave up Evan Carter's single before Wyatt Langford grounded into an inning-ending double play.
Yamamoto started the second by striking out Nathaniel Lowe on three pitches and retiring Jonah Heim on a flyout to left. Working with a long, deliberate windup and a fastball that hovered in the mid-90s, Yamamoto ended his outing by striking out Leody Taveras on four pitches.
He threw 16 of 19 pitches for strikes, showing the impeccable command that made him a star in Japan.
Lowe and Taveras took particularly weak swings on strike three, highlighting Yamamoto's dominance.
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The 25-year-old right-hander has been the less-publicized part of a $1 billion offseason investment by the Dodgers into a pair of Japanese stars. Los Angeles signed Shohei Ohtani to a record $700 million, 10-year contract in December while Yamamoto finalized his $325 million, 12-year deal a few weeks later.
Bellinger thrilled to be back
MESA, Ariz. — Cody Bellinger's free agency dragged into spring training, and it ended without the long-term deal he sought.
The process led him back to the Chicago Cubs, though, and that was enough to leave the 2019 NL MVP smiling.
“I'm super happy that it worked out the way it did,” Bellinger said Wednesday at a news conference after signing an $80 million, three-year deal this week.
Projected by some when the offseason began to command a deal well over $100 million , the 28-year-old Bellinger and agent Scott Boras settled for a shorter contract that includes opt outs after the first two seasons.
Teammates wanted Bellinger back after he shined at Wrigley Field in 2023. Management wanted him back, too. Bellinger had hoped for a longer deal, but his focus was on the reunion with Chicago when he spoke Wednesday.
“There’s definitely that thought that goes into and that is the goal, but I talked to Scott continuously to see what was going on,” Bellinger said. “Yes, but with this, I’m very excited with it all and very happy to get going.”
Boras attended the news conference and sat at Bellinger's side, with Cubs president Jed Hoyer on the other. Baseball's most famous agent still has three other high-profile players on the market with Blake Snell, Jordan Montgomery and Matt Chapman.
Spring training
Bryce Harper is getting settled in as full-time first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies.
Harper hit a hard single in his first spring training at-bat Wednesday, but the two-time NL MVP also flashed some leather at first base in a 7-7 tie against Atlanta. Harper made a diving catch on Jarred Kelenic's grounder in the first inning, and started nifty 3-6-3 on a 105.3 mph grounder by Kelenic in the third.
"Both of them were real good," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "He looks very comfortable and he's improving every day."
Muncy: Before Japanese sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw the first pitch in an impressive spring training debut for the Dodgers against World Series champion Texas, Los Angeles third baseman Max Muncy got hit by a pitch on his left hand in the top of the first inning.
Manager Dave Roberts said the ball hit Muncy on the knuckle of his ring finger and that the veteran was getting tests.
"I'm hopeful that it's not going to be too serious," Roberts said.
Counsell vs. Brewers: There was a mix of cheers and boos when new Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell returned to his old spring training home for the first time.
The Cubs won 6-1 on the road Wednesday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the NL Central rival Counsell managed the past nine seasons.
"It's weird seeing him in those colors, but that's what reality is right now," said new Brewers manager Pat Murphy, who was on Counsell's staff the past eight years.
Sonny opener: Sonny Gray will be the first Cardinals pitcher since Kyle Lohse in 2008 to make his debut for the Cardinals with a start on opening day.
Skenes: Pittsburgh pitching prospect Paul Skenes, the top pick in last year's amateur draft, is to make his spring training debut on Thursday when the Pirates face Baltimore and Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 selection last summer.
Guardians: The Cleveland Guardians are shutting down reliever Trevor Stephan for three weeks with a deep bruise in his right elbow. Stephan, who appeared in 71 games last season, experienced soreness during a recent training session in Goodyear, Arizona. An MRI revealed the bruising.
Nationals: Right-hander Mason Thompson will undergo Tommy John surgery for the second time.
Giants: Right-hander Tristan Beck returned to San Francisco to see doctors after dealing with lingering soreness in his right hander.
Claims
- The Yankees claimed infielder Jahmai Jones off waivers from the Brewers. Infielder Jordan Groshans was designated for assignment to make room on New York's 40-man roster.
- Sam Hilliard is back with Colorado after being claimed the outfielder off waivers from Baltimore. The Rockies cleared a spot on their 40-man roster by putting right-hander Antonio Senzatela on the 60-day injured list.
- San Diego agreed to a minor league contract with 31-year-old outfielder Tim Locastro, who hit .232 with two homers and three RBIs and six stolen bases in 43 games and 67 plate appearances with the New York Mets last year.
Starting pitcher Julio Teheran agreed to a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday and will report to major league spring training.
BRIEFLY
ORIOLES: Baltimore agreed to minor league contracts with right-hander Julio Teheran and infielder Kolten Wong, and they will report to major league spring training. Both are veterans with over a decade of big league experience. The 33-year-old Teheran is a two-time All-Star. He spent last season with Milwaukee and went 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA, making 11 starts. Wong is also 33. He played for Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers last year, hitting .183 in 87 games.
ORTIZ: Hector Ortiz, who spent the past 18 years as a manager and coach in the Texas Rangers organization, has died after a long battle with cancer. He was 54. The Rangers say Ortiz died at the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Ortiz was a coach on the minor league player development staff the past three years after serving on the major league staff under previous managers Jeff Banister and Chris Woodward.
WAKEFIELD: Stacy Wakefield, the widow of former Boston Red Sox pitcher and two-time World Series champion Tim Wakefield, has died. Her family said in a statement released through the Red Sox that she died Wednesday at her Massachusetts home, less than five months after her husband died at the age of 57. Online records say Stacy was 53. The family mentioned a diagnosis but did not provide a cause of death.
