Dodgers Clinch NL West Title, but Ohtani's Absence Noted; Yamamoto Says "It's Just Beginning"

The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched the NL West for the fifth consecutive season and the 13th time in 14 years with an 8-2 road win over the Cincinnati Reds. Shohei Ohtani, a 2024 Dodgers addition, was absent from the division title celebration for the first time, reposting the team's championship announcement on his Instagram Story. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, meanwhile, joined Blake Snell and Tarik Skubal in spraying champagne and taking photos together.

The Dodgers' official Instagram posted the group photo with the caption, "Did we just become best friends?" It quickly drew responses from Skubal and Snell. Skubal replied, "Yes!" while Snell wrote "Hello" along with two heart emojis using his hands.

The three players' contracts are as follows: Yamamoto signed for 12 years at $325 million, Snell for 5 years at $182 million, and Skubal at $32 million annually. Together, they form the Dodgers' top three starting pitchers, expected to be the team's strongest asset in pursuit of a third consecutive title.

In an interview, Yamamoto said that even though the regular season is winding down, he feels like it's "just about to begin." He added, "I want to be part of the team's three-peat, and I'll give it my all." He also thanked Japanese fans for their constant support, saying, "That encouragement gives me a lot of strength. No matter what, I'll try to repay them with good results."

After the game, the entire Dodgers team celebrated in the clubhouse with a champagne shower. Veteran infielder Miguel Rojas, 37, who is expected to retire after this season, started the game and performed exceptionally well, recording two hits including his fourth home run of the year.

Speaking emotionally, Rojas said, "Champagne celebrations are always special. It's really cool, and you can never get enough of that feeling." He then emphasized, "We fought through the regular season for moments like this. We achieved our first goal, and winning the division is the most important thing."

However, Japanese star Shohei Ohtani was placed on the injured list due to left knee and right biceps issues, and outfielder Andy Pages—who made his first All-Star selection this season but suffered a left hand fracture from a hit-by-pitch—were both unfortunately unable to attend the celebration.

Showing his concern for teammates, Rojas displayed warm camaraderie during the interview. "We want to say hi to Shohei and also to Pages! They've contributed so much to the team all year, and we really miss them." When the reporter asked what he wanted to say to the designated hitter "watching the game at home," Rojas directly expressed his feelings: "Shohei, we really miss you! If you're watching on TV, I want you to know that you're an essential part of this celebration. I can't wait to join you again in a few weeks and help the team win the World Series."