Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed on July 11, 2026 that Yoshinobu Yamamoto will not pitch in the All-Star Game, calling his first-half performance remarkable.
Roberts said during a press conference that Yamamoto's workload management has been a product of the pitcher's own discipline and physical efficiency. "It's remarkable. I think that obviously Yoshinobu takes very good care of himself, very intentional about his work, his preparation," Roberts said, adding that he never doubted in spring training that Yamamoto could handle the load. "His delivery is so consistent, repeatable. He uses his body so efficiently." Roberts noted that Yamamoto carried a heavy workload at the end of the 2025 season and also participated in the World Baseball Classic before the 2026 season. Yamamoto is scheduled to start on July 11 and is expected to attend the All-Star festivities in Philadelphia, while Shohei Ohtani will not be present at those festivities.
On Blake Snell, Roberts stated that he completed a two-inning up-down session and is expected to begin his rehab progression the weekend of July 18-19. "The floor is five and 75," Roberts noted, referring to five innings and 75 pitches as the minimum target. "Probably start at two innings and three, so you're looking at four or five outings probably." Roberts also mentioned that Snell says he feels better right now than he did when he returned before. Regarding Tyler Glasnow, Roberts acknowledged the back situation remains uncertain. "The back is a little tricky," he explained, adding that Glasnow threw a fastball-only bullpen session on July 10 and is expected to throw another one on July 12 or July 13, with progress to be judged by how he feels after each session.
Roberts added that Landon Knack has been built up to approximately 75 pitches and will be deployed out of the bullpen. "We had to protect the downside," he acknowledged. On Edwin Diaz, Roberts indicated that Brandon McDaniel, Mark, and the training staff are driving Diaz's rehab progression, with pitching in the complex league during the All-Star break listed as a possibility.
Roberts also described his reaction to delivering the All-Star nomination news to Justin Wrobleski, for whom he had been lobbying. He called Wrobleski multiple times, with Wrobleski not picking up the first call before calling back. "I was elated. I got a call from Major League Baseball and then it was just great for me to be able to deliver that message to Justin," Roberts said. "I got to congratulate him on his first All-Star nomination and he was very excited, very grateful."