- The Dodgers beat out a number of MLB teams with the signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto
- But the right-hander failed to live up to the hype, leaving with a 45.00 ERA.
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a nightmare debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers after signing a record 12-year, $325 million contract.
The Dodgers landed the 25-year-old’s mammoth contract in December after a fierce battle between several MLB teams to sign the Japanese pitcher, who was one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.
However, the right-hander failed to justify his price tag, lasting just one inning in his debut against the San Diego Padres on Thursday.
On the mound for Game 2 of the first-ever MLB Seoul Series between the Dodgers and Padres, Yamamoto allowed five runs in a single inning.
He trailed 2-0 after nine pitches and needed 43 pitches to get three outs, exiting the game with a 45.00 ERA.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a nightmare debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday
The right-hander was removed from the mound after just one inning against the Padres
The Japanese pitcher left the game after allowing five runs to San Diego in Game 2.
San Diego struck and Michael Grove relieved Yamamoto with the Dodgers leading 5-1.
Yamamoto allowed four hits, walked one, hit a batter and threw a wild pitch. He threw just 23 pitches for strikes, averaging 95.4 mph with his fastball. He tried 14 fastballs, 11 cutters, 10 curveballs and eight splitters.
Xander Bogaerts hit a single to left on his first pitch, a 96.6 mph fastball over the heart of home plate. Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a full splitter and Jake Cronenworth tripled into the right corner to take a 2-0 lead.
Manny Machado walked, bringing pitching coach Mark Prior to the mound after 15 pitches.
Ha-Seong Kim hit a sacrifice fly, a wild pitch advanced Machado and Jurickson Profar struck out on an inside hit.
Luis Campusano hit a bouncer over third base that went under Max Muncy’s glove and crossed the line for an RBI double and a 4-0 lead. Tyler Wade hit a run-scoring single to right and rookie Jackson Merrill struck out on an infield curveball.
The Dodgers allowed five runs in the first inning just once last season.
Yamamoto also struggled in spring training, compiling a concerning 8.38 ERA in just 9.2 innings pitched over three starts.
Jake Cronenworth (right) tripled to the right corner for a 2-0 lead for the Padres
“I’m not really concerned about the numbers,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter before his regular-season debut, but his current ERA of 45.00 is bound to be a more concerning number for both the pitcher and and the Dodgers.
Yamamoto was a two-time Pacific League MVP for the Orix Buffaloes. He signed his contract with the Dodgers in December, the largest amount guaranteed to a pitcher.
The Dodgers beat the likes of the New York Yankees and Mets, Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies with his signing.
Reports claimed that the Mets were willing to match the Dodgers’ offer of $325 million over 12 years, but that the Yankees were only willing to go as high as $300 million over 10 years.
Ultimately, the Dodgers beat them all to his signing, pairing him with Shohei Ohtani, who sealed a move from the Angels to Los Angeles, signing a staggering 10-year, $700 million contract.
Ohtani fared better than his compatriot in his debut, hitting two singles and driving in a run in the first game of the Seoul Series.