Dodgers ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto was recently selected for his first MLB All-Star Game. The Japanese sensation has been instrumental in holding down the fort amid injury issues in the team’s rotation and has tallied an impressive 8-7 record with a 2.59 ERA across 19 starts this season.

Ahead of the MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta, Yamamoto was asked about the return of baseball in the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The pitching superstar expressed his enthusiasm while simultaneously casting doubts about his future involvement.

“I think it would be good to hold it in Los Angeles. I don’t know if I can participate, but I think it would be even more exciting if major league players could participate,” Yamamoto was quoted as saying by Yahoo! Sports Japan.

“Even though there are many other games, I think it’s a special one. I think it’s an opportunity for the people of the country to come together as one, and for fans and people who aren’t interested in baseball to come and support the team. I think that’s really great.”

Baseball made its debut as a tournament sport in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. It was held until the 2008 edition in Beijing before being discontinued. It was revived as a one-off in 2020 in Tokyo, with Yamamoto‘s Japan snagging the gold against the United States in the grand final.

Owing to its popularity and appeal stateside, baseball, along with softball, is expected to return to the 2028 Summer Olympics in L.A. It is, however, uncertain if MLB players will be allowed to participate in the events.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to miss maiden MLB All-Star Game due to regular season commitment

Although he was selected to appear in his first Midsummer Classic, Dodgers superstar Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to miss the spectacle as he’s set to pitch on Sunday against the visiting Brewers. Taking his place is Cincinnati Reds hurler Andrew Abbott, who is making his first All-Star appearance.

After his starring role in the 2024 MLB postseason, Yamamoto has picked up where he left off. He has already gathered a 2.5 fWAR to go along with 116 strikeouts across 104 1/3 innings pitched.

Before making his mark in MLB, Yamamoto was selected to five NPB All-Star Games, including three straight from 2021 to 2023. In the same time span, he won the Japanese Triple Crown, Eiji Sawamura Award, and the Pacific League MVP honors.