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;

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

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is likely to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they open the season against Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and Roki

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/)

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.

Shota Imanaga said he doesn't take lightly the "honor" of being named Opening Day starter for the Chicago Cubs on March 18 in Tokyo.Imanaga is expected to oppose countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto of th

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto stands on the mound during the first inning of a spring training baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025, in Phoenix.