Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto Responds to Clayton Kershaw's Praise

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joey Mistretta | Last updated Mar 27, 2026 10:45 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers earned an 8-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Opening Day on Thursday night. Yoshinobu Yamamoto started for LA and allowed only two runs across six innings while striking out six hitters. Former Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw, who served as an analyst during the game, praised Yamamoto during the broadcast. After the win, Yamamoto was asked about receiving praise from Kershaw, via Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation.

"It's an honor," Yamamoto said via translator. "And I'm very happy about the words coming out of Kershaw... That makes me motivated."

Kershaw is one of the greatest Dodgers pitchers in franchise history. He certainly had plenty of Opening Day starts. On Thursday, the Dodgers gave the ball to Yamamoto to begin their 2026 regular season. The right-handed pitcher has emerged as not only a star in LA, but one of the best pitchers in the entire sport.

The 27-year-old finished third in National League Cy Young voting last year. He ultimately pitched to a strong 2.49 ERA across 30 starts. Yamamoto added 201 strikeouts.

He was tremendous in the postseason as well. Yamamoto turned in a stellar 1.45 ERA in his six playoff appearances.

Los Angeles features a number of ace-caliber starters, but Yamamoto has clearly become the leader of the rotation. He is poised for another big season in 2026.

Dodgers Defeat Diamondbacks to Begin Season

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts (30) © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Dodgers looked ready to go on Thursday. Will Smith and Andy Pages combined for six RBIs and four hits in the win. That is telling of the team's depth, as Smith and Pages stole the show in a lineup that includes superstars such as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Kyle Tucker.

Following Yamamoto's departure from the game in the sixth inning, LA's bullpen followed with three impressive innings. Relievers Blake Treinen, Will Klein and Tanner Scott shut the door with three strong innings of work.

It was an all-around quality performance by a Dodgers ball club that is looking for a third consecutive World Series victory in 2026. Thursday night's contest was the perfect example of how dominant the team can be when everything is going right.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's reaction to Clayton Kershaw calling him "an absolute machine" and saying that "the ball comes out of his hand like a piece of art" during Kershaw's broadcasting debut for NBC:

"It's an honor. It motivates me."

pic.twitter.com/3JY9L1ghJu
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) March 27, 2026

The Dodgers and Diamondbacks are set to play again on Friday night at 10:10 PM EST. LA will once again host Arizona at 9:10 PM EST on Saturday night to conclude the three-game series.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: