Yoshinobu Yamamoto DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya reports that Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto will make the start in the team's Cactus League opener on Thursday versus the Chicago Cubs. Yamamoto is also expected to start L.A.'s regular-season opener in Tokyo, Japan, against the same Cubs on March 18 and be opposed by fellow countryman Shota Imanaga. A six-man starting rotation for the Dodgers to begin the year will lower Yamamoto's fantasy ceiling a bit, but he should still be considered a low-end fantasy ace/high-end No. 2 starter after a promising first year in the States in 2024 that saw him go 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 105 strikeouts over 90 innings pitch (18 starts). The 26-year-old did miss time with a rotator-cuff strain, and questions about his durability is probably the biggest knock on his fantasy profile.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on MLB Network that the team's plan is to use both Japanese right-handers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and rookie Roki Sasaki in the season-opening series from March 18-19 in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs. "The expectation is for both those guys to pitch," Roberts said. It's likely that Yamamoto will take the hill in the first game and matchup against Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga, with Sasaki going in Game 2. Yamamoto, who looked really good in his first year in the big leagues in 2024, should be considered a low-end No. 1 fantasy starter going into his sophomore season, with Sasaki being more of a low-end No. 2 starter given question marks about his durability as he makes the transition to the States. While the Dodgers are saying they won't have any restrictions on the 23-year-old to begin the year, you have to imagine at some point they'll be monitoring Sasaki's innings.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto tossed six 1/3 frames of one run ball en route to earning the victory in Game 2 of the World Series. He allowed just one hit, two walks, and struck out four. His lone blemish came off a solo shot from Juan Soto in the third inning. Since allowing five earned runs in his postseason debut, the right-hander has been exceptional and has allowed just three runs across his most recent 15 2/3 frames. DFS players should expect the 26-year-old to get another opportunity to start if the series returns to Los Angeles in Games 6 or 7.