Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was one of the most prized acquisitions of the offseason across all of Major League Baseball.
A number of teams lined up for the services of the 25-year-old righty, who logged a 1.82 ERA in seven seasons in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league. Ultimately, the Dodgers added Yamamoto on a 12-year, $325 million contract to add firepower to the top of the rotation.
But Yamamoto’s first major league start could not have gone much worse Thursday in Seoul, South Korea. He lasted just one inning, allowing five earned runs on four hits, while walking one and striking out two. The Dodgers found themselves in a 5–0 hole against the San Diego Padres at that point, and he was pulled from the game after 43 pitches.
The avalanche started when Yamamoto gave up a two-run triple to Jake Cronenworth. Then Padres designated hitter Manny Machado drew a walk, and shortstop Ha-Seong Kim subsequently hit a sacrifice fly to make it 3–0 Padres.
Yamamoto struck out Jurickson Profar but then gave up an RBI double to Luis Campusano. Third baseman Tyler Wade then came to the plate and hit an RBI single to score San Diego’s fifth run of the inning. Yamamoto finally stopped the bleeding with a strikeout of rookie outfielder Jackson Merrill.
Baseball fans and pundits across social media reacted to the disastrous MLB debut by Yamamoto. Here are some of the best posts:
The start of Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s major league career …
— Alden González (@Alden_Gonzalez) March 21, 2024
single
hit by pitch
triple
walk
sac fly
wild pitch
strikeout
double
single
strikeout
In one inning, he was charged with 23% of the earned runs he allowed in 171 innings in Japan last year.
"Yamamoto is on his way out, looking toward the heavens. We can only ask -- or wonder -- that he is asking some departed relative for forgiveness for this atrocious performance." - Bob Costas, somewhere. pic.twitter.com/OXKVcarg7l
— Chad Moriyama (@ChadMoriyama) March 21, 2024
Ohtani gives Yamamoto some encouragement after his rough first inning pic.twitter.com/hGFc94qKhg
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) March 21, 2024
I’ve got Yamamoto at a crisp 45.00 ERA currently thru one inning of work. Something to build on
— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) March 21, 2024
This start obviously does not represent Yamamoto’s talent.
— Yakyu Cosmopolitan (@yakyucosmo) March 21, 2024
But I won’t make excuses for him. He signed up for the bright lights when he chose the Dodgers.
He needs to settle down and let his true talent shine. I’m very confident he will. Tonight is not his night.
Yankee and Mets fans after hearing about yamamoto pic.twitter.com/IqjDqaylTh
— matthew🇦🇷🇩🇴🗽 (@batistanem416) March 21, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s MLB debut is over after just 1 inning pic.twitter.com/FEA24nG6f5
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) March 21, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto gets rocked in his very first inning
— Mike Salvatore (@MikeSalvatore10) March 21, 2024
All other 29 MLB fan bases: pic.twitter.com/1Y9UnLD9Op
Yamamoto’s first start:
— NY SPORTS DESERVE BETTER (@TheBigDiesel2) March 21, 2024
1 IP
5 H
5 ER
1 BB pic.twitter.com/m4Tq0N6ywN
We're all going to be laughing at this when Yamamoto pulls it together & has a great season pic.twitter.com/85KQ05wv48
— Ari Tata🌙 (IT'S SHO-TIME) (@Ariichiiyoko) March 21, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Pitch Locations today. pic.twitter.com/Yi9Yu7iaI0
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) March 21, 2024
