GLENDALE, Arizona (Kyodo) -- Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Los Angeles Dodgers' scheduled Opening Day starter, threw 1-2/3 scoreless innings Thursday against the Chicago Cubs in the first Major League Baseball spring training game of 2025.

The Japanese right-hander allowed three hits, all singles, while striking out two and walking none in the Dodgers' 12-4 loss at Camelback Ranch in Arizona.

The Dodgers and Cubs will be the first to open the season with a two-game set at Tokyo Dome from March 18.

Yamamoto was relieved by Ryan Sublette after giving up a two-out single to Gage Workman in the second inning.

"Although I allowed a couple hits, I could do what I wanted to," Yamamoto said. "That was great for my first game."

Asked what steps he will take toward his Opening Day start, Yamamoto said, "I think I'll throw a couple more innings as I go deeper into games. I'd like to try a couple different things and get myself ready for the games in Tokyo."

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani did not play. His spring debut is expected to be toward the end of February or early March.

Left-hander Shota Imanaga, also from Japan, is scheduled to take the mound for the Cubs in the season-opening game.