The Dodgers manager has Kim Hye-sung in his plan for next year! I'm thinking about the possibility of a WBC transfer
Nov 30, 2025
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In an exclusive interview with Japan 'Sports Hochi' reported on the 30th, Roberts candidly expressed his thoughts on the plan for the early 2026 season.
Roberts predicted Yamamoto Yoshinobu early as the starting pitcher for the opening game of the 2026 season. ahead of the 2024 seasonHe signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with Juss and has completely settled down in the Major League this season, his second year. In particular, his postseason performance was great, and he even volunteered to pitch the bullpen in the World Series, leading the team to win. Yamamoto won the World Series MVP.
Roberts said, "(The selection of the opening game) can be said to be so at this point. I think it will be like that in the current situation, and he (Yamamoto) won the opportunity."
Concerns were expressed over the team's main players participating in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March next year. In particular, there are uncomfortable views on the transfer of three Japanese players (Shohei Otani, Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki).
Roberts said, `Honestly, I don't want him to play. There is a reason. Shohei has just returned from surgery on his right elbow, so throwing in the WBC puts pressure on him. Yamamoto also pitched a lot of innings this season, so if you advance the actual timing to play in the WBC, the burden will increase. Sasaki has had a problem with her right shoulder all year. He's also a burden "That's my honest answer. However, it is the players who make the decision, so I want to talk to them. However, only Sasaki may be prevented from participating in the WBC. Ohtani and Yamamoto can't do that. From our point of view, we want the players to start the season slowly. Our offseason is short, he explained in detail why.
On the fact that the number of people participating in the spring camp will be drastically reduced due to the influence of the WBC, "Our players can go out a lot." Mookie Betts (U.S.), Freddie Freeman (Canada), Will Smith (U.S.), Teoscar Hernandez (Dominica Republic), three Japanese players and Kim Hye-sung can also participate in the WBC."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
