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Yoshinobu Yamamoto Won't Attend Rams Game With Shohei Ohtani, Despite Invitation

Originally posted on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI
By Kevin Skinner | Last updated Dec 21, 2023 5:36 PM ET

After the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani and traded for Tyler Glasnow within a week, the stove has been ice cold. Earlier on Thursday, fans thought they finally got a crumb of excitement when it was reported that Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were going to attend an NFL game at SoFi Stadium tonight.

However, taking a page from football, this was a false start. Per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Yamamoto will not attend tonight's game between the Rams and Saints.

Contrary to previous reports, Yoshinobu Yamamoto will NOT be attending the Rams’ game tonight, per source. Shohei Ohtani might be there, but Yamamoto won’t be.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 21, 2023

Yamamoto currently has all of baseball wrapped around his finger. He's the next big domino to fall this free agency.

Per a source, Shohei Ohtani's camp invited Yoshinobu Yamamoto to attend the Rams game tonight at SoFi. That's how both players wound up on the "celebrity guest list" for the game. But Yamamoto can't make it. An effort was made.
— J.P. Hoornstra (@jphoornstra) December 21, 2023

His signing will set the market for starting pitchers and help teams figure out which pitchers they need to target.

Unfortunately for fans, he's taking his time making his decision, and rightfully so. This may be his one chance at free agency and he needs to make as educated a decision as possible.

As it stands, the Dodgers and Yankees appear to be leading the pack in the Yamamoto sweepstakes. Clearly, the Dodgers have pulled out all the stops in trying to court the 25-year-old right-hander.

The front office certainly has backup plans in case Yamamoto decides to sign elsewhere. Until that happens though, baseball is in a holding pattern - slanted pun intended.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Dodgers on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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