Yoshinobu Yamamoto discusses his first start in three months Septermber 11, 2024

The blue responses are our direct translation of Shohei's answers and the

are our commentary on the interpretation of Shohei's responses. Finally, we finish with a grade of the interpreter.

Kirsten: Yoshi, well, just first welcome back. When you think of the performance you had out there, was that the best you felt with rehab starts and returning back from injury and getting back to playing?

Yoshihiro: 今日の登板ですけれども前回の登板今年 the whole year right?今年休みがあったんですけど今日の出来というのだったんでしょう？

[Translation]: Today’s mound last mound this year, you were off this year a bit but how was today’s performance?

Yoshinobu: ええと、今年の中でもまとっぷでいいくらいの感覚で投げられたと思います。

[Translation]: Um, This year it was my top feel throwing I think.

Yoshihiro: I think, you know, because I've, um, today is like a pretty close to the best of the year.

Reporter: Going in, were you nervous? Were you excited? How did you feel?

Yoshihiro: 緊張とか色々エキサイトをいろんな気持ちどうでしたか？

[Translation]: Nervousness and a lot of excitement, how was your feelings?

Yoshinobu: ええとま、期間の空いた相手の登板だったので、まやっぱりいつも通りとま行きませんでした、なるべく落ち着いた気持ちで試合に入れるように取り組みました。

[Translation]: Um, they left a spot in the rotation for me and it didn’t go how I wanted it to. But I tried to relax and attack the game.

Yoshihiro: It's been a while since the last outing, so that was a little different, but then, you know, because I was trying to stay calm and to get going getting out there and then perform.

Reporter: 8 Strikeouts, 11 whiffs. How would you assess your stuff overall?

Yoshihiro: 今日8三審その出来とかというのはどうでしたか?

[Translation]: Today, 8 strikeouts results how was it?

Yoshinobu: ええとま、変化球をすごくいい感覚で投げられたのでそれが三振につながったと思いますしまたこう言ういい感覚をしっかり自分のものに出来るようにえしたいです。

[Translation]: Um, the change up feel was good and that connected to a lot of strikeouts I think so I want to take the feel with me for the next outing.

Yoshihiro: My breaking ball was working pretty well today and then I like to continue on this kind of quality.

Reporter: Are you surprised at all that the stuff was that crisp after missing three months?

Yoshihiro: ご自身で今日の出来良かったというのはちょっと自分で驚きだったですかそうですかね？

[Translation]: For you, were you surprised with the results of today?

Yoshinobu: そうですね、まあの、本当に思ったよりえすごくまいい復帰登板だったんかな思いますし、まこのリハビリしている期間の中での練習でもすごい感覚がどんどん良くなっていっているのを感じていたのでまのリハビリ間の練習が今日につながったなと思います。

[Translation]: Yes, um, more than I thought it would be it was a good return mound I think, the practice I was doing during rehab gave me a good feel and that connected to today’s outing I think.

Yoshihiro: Um, today's outing turned out much better than I expected and I think that's because of what I was doing during the rehab.

Reporter: How much confidence does this give you to be in the right spot for a start in October?

Yoshihiro: 今日の結果を受けてその数試合登板自信につきましたか？

[Translation]: Receiving today’s result, the last few starts have given you confidence?

Yoshinobu: 今日とりあえず復帰無事できてま試合をまいい投球内容で終われたのでそれが凄くホッとしていますがま次の試合に向けてえしっかりやっていくのは全く変わり無いのでとにかく一日を大切に練習していきたいと思います。

[Translation]: Today just happy to safely return and throw good stuff and finish has me very relieved. Looking forward to the next game and just focus on each day and practice I think.

Yoshihiro: It’s more about the relief today. I got to comeback and the finish what I need to do then I think I am going to take it one game at a time.

Kirsten: There was a lot of excitement with you about this matchup with you and Imanaga, just what was your reaction to today’s pitchers duel at hand and being a part of this game?

Yoshihiro: 今日ま今永さんのマッチアップ対戦ということでその辺に関してはどういうふうに考えていますでしょうか？

[Translation]: Today, you were matched up with Mr. Imanaga what do you think about this?

Yoshinobu: ええとま昨日も言ったようにやっぱりこのメジャー同じ試合に出場できるということが凄く嬉しく感じましたし。メジャーの試合で何度も何度も対戦できるように頑張りたいと思います。

[Translation]: Like I said yesterday, playing against him in the majors feels really great. I want to work hard so I can face him several times again and again at the major league level.

Yoshihiro: I was very happy, just like I said yesterday and, you know, because competing with a major league pitcher like him on that major league stage, that's great and I'm hoping we get to have this kind of match up in the future, many times in the future.