Los Angeles Dodgers rookie phenom pitcher Roki Sasaki faced live hitters Wednesday for the first time at the Major League Baseball level.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws 27 pitches and Bobby Miller takes a comebacker off his head and is placed into concussion protocol during the Dodgers' 12-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto begins Spring Training with a strikeout of Vidal Bruján in the top of the 1st inning. More From This Game; Los Angeles Dodgers; Yoshinobu Yamamoto; highlight;

Los Angeles Dodgers manager indicated that Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaski will start the two games against the Chicago Cubs in Japan.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager gives an exciting update on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, highlighting his progress and potential impact for the team.

MLB Tonight discusses Yoshinobu Yamamoto starting the opening series in Tokyo, Shohei Ohtani's pitching status, and more Dodgers storylines

The Los Angeles Dodgers endured an injury-riddled 2024 season, but persevered until the final days of October to emerge as World Series champions. Recently, a pair of players have shared positive injury updates.

Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are expected to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers in season openers at Tokyo next month, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto greets fans during a spring training baseball practice, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/)

No matter how good you are at baseball, nobody is above the unwritten rules of being a rookie. More news: Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw Opens Up About Difficult Recovery From Surgery There have been countless stories of first-year players doing undesireable tasks for their team.

Cubs lefty pitcher Shota Imanaga and Dodgers starters Rōki Sasaki and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will all see action when the teams open the season in Japan on March 18-19. "Shota's going to pitch in Japan,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said this week.