Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks in midseason form in final spring tune-up

Yama-mojo: In his final spring tune-up, Yoshinobu Yamamoto already looked like he was in midseason form. In five scoreless innings against the Padres on Friday, the Dodgers’ Opening Day starter struck out seven batters, walked one and scattered three singles. Several times, he appeared to be nodding to himself in approval, as he got 14 whiffs with his six-pitch mix.

Dodgers Opening Day pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who also pitched this spring for Team Japan in the WBC, tuned up for MLB’s regular season Friday. Getty Images

Will returns: Will Smith marked his return to Dodgers camp with an extra-base hit, leading off the fourth inning with a double. It was a good sign for the catcher, who went only 3 for 13 in the WBC with one double and one RBI.

Pick to click: In recent years, Dave Roberts has named an annual “pick to click” before the season. Sometimes it has hit (Teoscar Hernández in 2024). Other times, not so much (Michael Conforto a season ago). This year, he opted for Andy Pages, predicting the third-year outfielder to take another step coming off his 27-homer campaign a year ago, while once again praising his mature approach to this spring’s camp.

Up next: The Dodgers wrap up their time in Arizona on Saturday with an 11 a.m. game against the Athletics. Emmet Sheehan will start, but few other big-league regulars are expected to play.