Yamamoto knows innings are important to the Dodgers rotation, which is why TBA is often listed as a likely pitcher

NEW YORK (AP) — Yoshinobu Yamamoto knows innings matter for a depleted Los Angeles Dodgers rotation that frequently names TBA as a likely pitcher.

“Anything can happen right now as far as an injury or a mishap within the rotation,” he said through a translator.

Los Angeles leads the New York Mets 2-1 in the National League Championship Series before Yamamoto's start on Thursday evening. Yamamoto, a 5-foot-10 right-hander, is one of the few arms remaining from a projected rotation that once included Tyler Glasnow, Clayton Kershaw, Bobby Miller, James Paxton, Emmet Sheehan and Gavin Stone. All of their seasons ended early due to injuries.

Additionally, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin spent the entire year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Yamamoto started twice in the Division Series against San Diego, subbing Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler and backup Ryan Brasier once each in July.

Flaherty pitched seven scoreless innings in Sunday's NLCS openera deep outing that has become a rarity for the Dodgers. Brasier was used as a one-inning opener in the Game 2 loss and Buehler returned for Game 3 against the Mets on Wednesday night as Yamamoto prepared to make his move.

Yamamoto lasted three innings in his postseason debutleft the series opener against the Padres trailing 5-3 after allowing Xander Bogaerts' two-run double in a game the Dodgers won 7-5.

He threw Five scoreless, two-hit innings beat fellow Japanese Yu Darvish as the Dodgers won the deciding Game 5, leaving the game after 63 pitches.

“In Game 5, I think my mechanics were a lot better than the first,” he said Wednesday afternoon.

Yamamoto joined the Dodgers $325 million, 12-year contract last winter, bypassing offers from the New York Yankees and Mets. The right-hander, who turned 26 in August, was 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts, striking out 105 and walking 22 in 90 innings while mixing six different pitches, including a fastball with an average velocity of 95 .5 miles per hour. Yamamoto was sidelined between June 15 and September 10 due to a triceps strain.

He faced the Mets once during the regular season and allowed four runs (three earned) and seven hits in six innings while striking out nine without a decision on April 19 at Dodger Stadium.

“He's a super-polished guy,” said Mets slugger Pete Alonso, who hit a low curveball in a three-pitch at-bat, hit an RBI single in a full-count curve over the heart of the strike zone and landed on a low splinter outside.

Last fall, Yamamoto pitched for Orix against Hanshin in the Japan Series. He allowed seven runs in the opening loss and struck out a Japan Series record 14 in a 138-pitch complete game, forcing a Game 7.

“He’s pitched in big ballgames, so I knew he would step up in a big ballgame,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He has no physical stature, but the power he can produce is quite remarkable.”

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb