Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers and catchers are holding their first workout of 2026 Spring Training on Friday and will be accompanied by position players on Tuesday.

This spring is going to be more normal compared to each of the last two years, but Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be among those who leave Camelback Ranch in order to participate in the World Baseball Classic.

Ohtani is only going to serve as a designated hitter for Team Japan, while Yamamoto projects to be their ace. That could create a domino effect for the Dodgers, particularly with Yamamoto, who is coming off a heavy postseason workload.

That factor, coupled with pitching schedules that Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki are accustomed to, will require some deft maneuvering by the Dodgers.

According to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group, manager Dave Roberts said the team figures to have a six-man rotation to at least start the 2026 season. Roberts also added the expectation is for Ohtani, Sasaki and Yamamoto to all pitch once per week.

Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (and Roki Sasaki early in the year) were basically once-a-week starters for most of the season. That is likely to continue in ’26, Roberts said

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) February 13, 2026

Roberts’ comments from Cactus League media day are in line with a sentiment he previously expressed at the Winter Meetings and during DodgerFest. Specifically with Ohtani, Roberts has continued to indicate that although he will be fully built up as a pitcher, starts will still come with at least six days of rest.

Sasaki made all eight starts during his rookie season on at least six days of rest. Though, he showed some durability upon shifting to a bullpen role after getting activated off the 60-day injured list during the final week of the season.

Sasaki made a pair of relief appearances with just one day of rest in between them to finish out the Dodgers’ schedule. He then pitched with plenty of frequency during the postseason, which included making back-to-back appearances in the National League Championship Series.

But with that increased usage came a decline in velocity and command. Aside from mapping out starts to allow for ample recovery, the Dodgers are going to be monitoring if Sasaki can develop an effective third pitch.

What will aid the Dodgers’ efforts to balance starting pitching plans is their schedule includes four off days through April.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto the key?

Yamamoto arguably is the most prepared of the trio to be pushed if necessary. He voiced a willingness to start on fewer days of rest during his rookie season, and it was a possibility the Dodgers considered before his right shoulder/triceps injury.

But given that Yamamoto is leading the Samurai Japan staff, it would not be surprising to see the Dodgers ease him into their plans.

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