Learn from Yoshinobu Yamamoto! Mookie Betts highly praises the javelin training method: It works well.

Maybe seeing the achievements of Japanese ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in last year's World Series, his special training techniques have also stirred up a trend in the Dodgers clubhouse. Dodgers star shortstop Mookie Betts shared in an interview after today's spring training game that he personally studied Yamamoto's unique "javelin training method" during spring training and commended it as "showing good results."

Betts played as the third batter and shortstop in today's spring training exhibition game against the Angels. He had two at‑bats without a hit, scored one run, and was then substituted. After coming off the field, he spoke with a local Los Angeles TV station from the dugout. When asked about the javelin training guided by Yamamoto, Betts replied, "I feel it's working well. My throwing distance isn't as far as Yamamoto's, and I haven't seen dramatic improvement in just a day or two, but my infield control and throws are much better than last season. Seeing Yamamoto stay healthy and succeed over these two years, I wanted to give it a try."

Standing 178 cm tall and weighing 80 kg, Yoshinobu Yamamoto does not have a physically imposing build for a baseball player, and he never engages in weight training. Yet, through his distinctive training regimen, he has developed powerful core strength along with remarkable stability and balance in his torso, consistently enabling him to fire fastballs approaching 160 km/h.

Dodgers starting pitcher Landon Knack struggled in the first inning of today's exhibition game, getting hit hard by the Angels lineup. He lasted only 0.2 innings, allowing four hits including two home runs and surrendering three runs. The Dodgers bullpen then steadied the game, shutting down the opposing offense for the remainder of the contest. On the offensive side, the Dodgers leveraged their formidable lineup—with contributions from Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Miguel Rojas, and others—along with a standout performance from 23‑year‑old prospect James Tibbs III, who recorded two hits and one RBI. The team totaled 13 hits, scoring one run each in the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th innings, ultimately securing a narrow 4‑3 victory.