Yoshinobu Yamamoto is ahead of schedule in spring training, Dodgers' manager explains the reason.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said today during an interview at the Dodgers' spring training facility in Arizona that pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who will represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic, is clearly progressing faster in spring training, and the team will implement two separate training plans to accommodate this.

Roberts mentioned that Yamamoto is moving at a quicker training pace, so he will be grouped separately from other players, with his live batting practice expected to start earlier as well. Shohei Ohtani, also selected for the Classic, is in a similar situation, with "both adjusting at a faster rate than the others."

The Dodgers' pitching and catching group was originally scheduled to report on February 13, but Yamamoto's start plan has been moved up, and he may quickly enter live batting practice after training begins. Roberts said the final timing depends "on when he reports to the Japanese team." According to foreign media, Japan's first game on March 6 against Chinese Taipei will likely have Yamamoto as the starting pitcher.