Cubs' Suzuki, Imanaga among Japanese players come home to start the MLB season

Tokyo-es are just two games to start the Major League baseball season to the World Series Champion Dodgers against the Cubs on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Tokyo Dome.

The regular MLB season consists of almost 2,500 games for the record.

But it is much more for Dodger's manager Dave Roberts, who was born in Japan. And for Shohei Ohtani and the four other Japanese players who compete at home around the Dodgers and Cubs. Cubs Pitcher Shota Imanaga and the designated Hitter Seiya Suzuki feel at home in Japan.

Then there is MLB, which opens its regular season for the second year in a row on the Asian market. A year ago it was Seoul, South Korea, in which the Dodgers and San Diego Padres separated two games. Here also the betting scandal broke around ohtanis interpreter.

“It is difficult to say whether this is the golden age for Japanese players in the USA,” said Ohtani on Friday and spoke through an interpreter when both teams trained in the Tokyo Dome.

“I know that there were many Japanese players who came in front of me,” added Ohtani. “But five (Japanese players) is a big deal. It's really a big deal. “

When asked what he was most looking forward to, Ohtani replied: “To eat good food, get over the jet lag and simply be able to play the game.”

Cubs Party with Imanaga and Suzuki

The Cubs manager Craig Punsell spoke about a party that was organized by Imanaga and Suzuki on Thursday to welcome the other Cubs to Japan. For most, it is the first visit.

What impressed the Consist was a great tuna that was carved in a ceremony at the party. Sashimi and sushi for everyone.

“We left tuna open,” said Counsell. “Some of the players took part in what was scary for a second with players with knives in their hands. But otherwise it was great. “

Consell said that the trip to Japan was “Kizuna”, which is the Japanese word for the bond. He was obviously trained by his Japanese players.

“It started last night for our team with the great party and being able to be together,” said Cunsell.

Roberts back in Japan

It is a return for Roberts who was born on Japan's southern island of Okinawa as the son of a Japanese mother and an American father. He expects relatives from Okinawa, where he was honored by officials there last year.

“It is personally for me because I can represent my mother's side in the family,” said Roberts. “I have many relatives and family who can see this baseball game – see a Dodgers game at night instead of watching us in the morning.”

The time difference between Japan and Chicago is 14 hours and Japan is 16 hours ahead of Los Angeles.

Japan is Dodgers Country, swept away by Ohtani, the World Series title and Pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki. It is expected to be the Dodgers starters against the Cubs.

“I think our mission fulfilled the state of Japan in Dodgers Blue,” said Roberts.

Yamamoto and Ohtani talked about the joy of being at home, as well as Imanaga and Suzuki. Imanaga is expected to start in the first game against Yamamoto.

“I hope my teammates really enjoy Japan at the moment,” said Ohtani. “But I also hope that the fans see my teammates Japan enjoyed.”

Seiya Suzuki from the Chicago Cubs will take part in a training session in Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on Friday, March 14, 2025, while the Cubs will play their MLB opening games against the Los Angeles Dodgers next week. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
AP

Ohtani says on the right track

Ohtani was reminded that he had no more Bullpen session for several weeks, since he wanted to return to pitching after the elbow operation last season.

“I would like to prioritize the stroke aspect when we get into the season to give the Pitching page mentally and physically a little breather,” he said. “This is according to plan and I am satisfied with how things went.”

To prove Sasaki with something

It's different for Sasaki. The 23-year-old signed the Dodgers two months ago and has to prove himself, although many believe that he has no prospect.

“I was literally in Japan until a few months ago,” he said through an interpreter. “For me, it is more about taking up in another team in another uniform and ensuring that I play my best.”

Sasaki scored the Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba in his office on Friday and gave him a signed Dodgers upper limit. He was accompanied by the Dodgers owner Mark Walter.

“I am really happy that the Dodgers open the season in Japan,” reported Japanese media Ishiba.