1 month, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto excited for likely opening day start in Japan, but has bigger goals

LA Times

Last year, Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s season debut was a cause for alarm. Even though the team added a two-time Cy Young Award in Blake Snell, a 23-year-old phenom in Roki Sasaki, and returns last year’s opening day starter, Tyler Glasnow, manager Dave Roberts announced this week that it likely will be Yamamoto who gets the ball in the season opener next month in Japan. When Chicago manager Craig Counsell was asked about his decision to start his Japanese star, Counsell joked, “I don’t think I have a choice.” With Yamamoto, however, the honor also reflects the strides he made in his rookie season, which started with a disastrous debut in South Korea against the San Diego Padres, was nearly derailed by a midseason shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost three months, and ended with the diminutive flamethrower emerging as the Dodgers’ most consistent starter during their postseason run to a World Series title. “I learned a lot from all the experiences last year,” Yamamoto said after posting a 7-2 record and 3.00 earned-run average in 18 regular-season outings, then a 3.86 ERA in four playoff starts, all victories. “But probably.” As far as opening day is concerned, Yamamoto said a potential matchup against Imanaga — who also debuted in the majors last year, earning an All-Star selection with a 15-3 record and 2.91 ERA — would be “very exciting” for him and fans across Japan.

Japan Japanese Season Start Yamamoto Era Yoshinobu Yamamoto Opening Day likely sasaki bigger yamamoto start opening day season team spring excited japanese run series rookie yoshinobu japan goals world

History of this topic

5 days, 3 hours ago

Shohei Ohtani, Japan’s other baseball stars shook their nerves and delivered in MLB’s Tokyo opener

Associated Press

TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a little extra zip on his fastball. But the Japanese players who were playing in front of their home country at the Tokyo Dome on Tuesday night handled any jitters they had quite well, delivering in clutch moments as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in Major League Baseball’s season opener. “I …

5 days, 5 hours ago

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1 in season opener

Hindustan Times

TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball's season opener at the Tokyo Dome. HT Image Playing in front of their home country, Yamamoto and Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga both pitched well …

5 days, 5 hours ago

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1 in season opener

Associated Press

TOKYO — Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice, and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 on Tuesday in Major League Baseball’s season opener at the Tokyo Dome. Playing in front of their home country, Yamamoto and Cubs lefty Shota Imanaga both pitched well in the …

1 week, 6 days ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto stays in line to pitch opening day for the Dodgers in Tokyo

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, shown during a workout at Camelback Ranch earlier this month, pitched five innings on Monday in his final spring training start. With the Dodgers opening their season with two games in Tokyo, there was never really a doubt Japan’s Yoshinobu Yamamoto would pitch the first game and rookie Roki Sasaki the second. New contract removes all …

1 week, 6 days ago

Nearing the end of a short spring, Dodgers, Cubs make final preparations for season opener in Japan

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shohei Ohtani’s bat is ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers while Shota Imanaga has looked good on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with less than 10 days remaining before baseball’s regular-season opener in Japan. “It’s two games and we’re not going to exhaust everything to get ready for two games,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said early …

1 month ago

Imanaga honored to be part of historic pitching matchup when Cubs face the Dodgers in Japan

Associated Press

MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga said Wednesday he was “very honored” to receive the opening day start against the Los Angeles Dodgers when the teams meet March 18 in Tokyo. The Dodgers will counter with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, marking the first time two Japan-born pitchers have started against each other in a major league regular-season game in their …

1 month, 1 week ago

Yamamoto, Sasaki are the likely starting pitchers when the Dodgers play in Tokyo next month

Associated Press

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Yoshinobu Yamamoto is likely to start for the Los Angeles Dodgers when they open the season against Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18 and Roki Sasaki could make his major league debut the next day. “I think it’s fair to say that Yamamoto will pitch that first one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday. A lot …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Dodgers Dominate Yankees, Clinching 4-2 Lead in World Series

Associated Press

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees 4-2 in Game 4 of the World Series, extending their lead to 2-0 in the series. Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing only one hit over 6 1/3 innings. Freddie Freeman hit two home runs, including a walk-off grand slam, to lead the Dodgers to victory. The Dodgers will look …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has best start of 2024 in World Series Game 2

LA Times

In 2019, when Gerrit Cole spurned his hometown Angels to sign with the New York Yankees, his agent did not mince words in explaining why. The Dodgers defeated the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the World Series, but it remains to be seen if Shohei Ohtani will play in Game 3 in New York. “Watching how he was …

4 months, 3 weeks ago

Dodgers beat Yankees 4-2 for 2-0 World Series lead, as Ohtani injures shoulder : NPR

NPR

Dodgers beat Yankees 4-2 for 2-0 World Series lead, as Ohtani injures shoulder toggle caption Ashley Landis/AP/AP LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto walked back to his dugout and made the slightest tip of his cap to cheering fans. So we’re encouraged.” Sponsor Message Tommy Edman and Teoscar Hernández also went deep off starter Carlos Rodón, who tied a Yankees World …

5 months ago

Time for Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto to show their worth

LA Times

This could be the night the Dodgers truly reap a return on investment. The Dodgers lavished a billion dollars upon Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for moments like these. If they win Thursday, with Yamamoto pitching and Ohtani sparking the offense, the Dodgers will be one victory from the World Series. “Everything is good.” Austin Barnes, the Dodgers’ backup catcher, …

5 months, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers under pressure in Dodgers' NLDS win

LA Times

The shortest player on the field at Dodger Stadium looked as if he was the tallest. Yamamoto added, “I think I owe my performance today to my teammates.” Hernández said there was a reason the Dodgers invested as much in Yamamoto as they did. Talking to Yamamoto after his Game 1 debacle in this division series, Friedman said, “You could …

5 months, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto to start winner-take-all NLDS Game 5 for Dodgers

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during Game 1 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 5. “I’m sure Yoshinobu will be a part of it,” Roberts said Thursday, referring to $325-million offseason signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto, his Game 1 starter. “I think the main variable is seeing our guys go out there today, play catch, …

5 months, 2 weeks ago

Dodgers concerned about Yoshinobu Yamamoto tipping pitches?

LA Times

The Dodgers anointed Shohei Ohtani as the highest-paid player in baseball history last December. “But guys in the ’pen picked us up, and the offense was relentless with their at-bats.” Game 2 is Sunday, with hometown star Jack Flaherty scheduled to start for the Dodgers. “He was really down,” Ohtani said, “so I’m glad we were able to win.” The …

6 months, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto bends but doesn’t break as Dodgers split series versus Braves

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during the first inning of a 9-0 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on Monday. “It wasn’t as sharp command-wise as his first one back, but he made pitches when he needed to,” manager Dave Roberts said. That’s a hard play.” At the plate, the Dodgers were in full factory mode, manufacturing nine …

6 months, 1 week ago

Cubs beat Dodgers 6-3 in Yamamoto-Imanaga matchup as LA makes 3 errors in 5-run 8th inning

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Cubs rallied for the tying and go-ahead runs in a five-run eighth inning, when the Los Angeles Dodgers committed three errors in a 6-3 loss to Chicago on Tuesday night that featured a matchup of Japanese star pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Shota Imanaga. “It feels better winning these last two and going home tomorrow with some …

6 months, 1 week ago

The Sports Report: Yoshinobu Yamamoto has stellar return to Dodgers

LA Times

Howdy, I’m your host, Houston Mitchell. Continue reading here Sparks box score WNBA standings U.S. MEN’S SOCCER From Kevin Baxter: U.S. Soccer finally got its man Tuesday, announcing it has hired Mauricio Pochettino to coach the men’s national team. Continue reading here In three-nation coaching carousel, Canada has the best seat 1937 — Don Budge beats Gottfried von Cramm in …

6 months, 1 week ago

Dodgers defense ruins strong return by Yoshinobu Yamamoto in loss to Cubs

LA Times

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws to the plate during the first inning. “We’ve got to eliminate that.” Indeed, for a team that Roberts hoped would be in “playoff mode” as they close in on another National League West division title, holding a 4½-game lead entering Wednesday, the maddening mental lapses in the field wasted what otherwise was an encouraging day for their …

6 months, 2 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return to Dodgers’ rotation next week after nearly 3-month injury absence

Associated Press

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Yoshinobu Yamamoto will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers’ rotation next week after missing nearly three months with a right arm injury. The $325 million right-hander has made two recent rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, and the pitching-thin Dodgers aren’t waiting any longer to find out whether Yamamoto can contribute down the stretch as they chase …

6 months, 3 weeks ago

Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto makes 1st minor league rehab start after over 2 months on injured list

Associated Press

ROUND ROCK, Texas — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his first rehab start after more than two months on the injured list, throwing two innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday night. The right-hander allowed one hit and one earned run while striking out two and walking none. “Threw well, came out of it good,” Roberts said in …

7 months ago

Pitching woes continue for the Dodgers, who own narrow NL West lead despite injuries

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers finally have their hitters healthy. “Everything is starting to come all together.” Manager Dave Roberts called it “a very positive day for Yoshinobu.” He said in the next five days Yamamoto will throw three innings and then complete a rehab assignment. As long as he recovers well, then we start homing in on …

8 months ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto hopeful of returning to Dodgers’ rotation despite not having a timeline

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is hopeful of returning this season, even though there isn’t a timeline on when that might happen. “I’m trying to come back as soon as I can,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter before Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox. “I have to keep working with the trainers and just do my preparation …

8 months ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto no longer feeling pain, but his return timeline is unclear

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium in May. However, neither the Dodgers nor their star Japanese right-hander has yet set a target date for Yamamoto’s return, leaving his status unclear as MLB’s July 30 trade deadline approaches. “I feel it’s going extremely well.” Yet there is still no firm date on when Yamamoto might …

9 months ago

Gavin Stone reminds Dodgers why he might be the best Yoshinobu Yamamoto alternative

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Gavin Stone delivers during the first inning Thursday in a 5-3 series-clinching win over Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. “These starters,” manager Dave Roberts said, “just need to go out there and be themselves.” Still, recent history suggests the Dodgers will, at some point, need someone to fill Yamamoto’s role near the top of the rotation. Stone’s …

9 months ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto placed on 15-day injured list by Dodgers with strained rotator cuff

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto has a strained rotator cuff, manager Dave Roberts said Sunday, adding that tests did not show a tear. Yamamoto was placed on the 15-day injured list before Los Angeles beat Kansas City 3-0 on Sunday. So for us to be proactive and put him on the IL seems like the smartest thing.” Yamamoto …

9 months, 1 week ago

Dodgers’ Yamamoto leaves start vs. KC after 2 innings due to triceps tightness. IL stint is possible

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto could be heading to the injured list after he left his start Saturday night against Kansas City after two innings due to triceps tightness. Right now, we’re going by what he is saying and feeling.” Yamamoto had his scheduled start Thursday against Texas pushed back for extra rest due to the triceps tightness. …

9 months, 1 week ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto likely heading to injured list after early exit in Dodgers loss

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers in the first inning of a 7-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on Saturday. “It’s a high possibility,” Roberts said, when asked if Yamamoto would be placed on the 15-day injured list as a precaution. “But we’ll get our doctors involved, and see if there’s more to it.” Yamamoto said …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Dodgers showcase their World Series-caliber talent — and imperfections — vs. Yankees

LA Times

On paper, the Dodgers’ series win over the New York Yankees this weekend won’t change much in the grand scheme of their season. The Yankees opened the scoring in a two-run second inning that saw Oswaldo Cabrera clip the foul pole for a solo home run, and Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages drop what would have been a difficult, running …

9 months, 2 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto stellar in another big-game setting as Dodgers edge Yankees

LA Times

As the baseball world orbited around him Friday, Yoshinobu Yamamoto hardly seemed to care. “But I know, for sure, the moment, the stage won’t be too big.” Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches to New York Yankees star Aaron Judge during the first inning Friday at Yankee Stadium. “He’s pitched in a lot of big games in his career,” Roberts said, referring to …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto and the Dodgers get back to winning with a 4-1 victory over the Rockies

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one run over six solid innings, and Jason Heyward and Will Smith had RBI doubles in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 4-1 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Saturday night. Kiké Hernández also drove in a run for the Dodgers, who have won four of five after dropping Friday’s series opener in Colorado’s first win …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines and Dodgers’ offense shows some life in win over Rockies

LA Times

Dodgers baserunner Andy Pages scores on a double by Jason Heyward during the second inning of a 4-1 win over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on Saturday night. “We’re not going to put 10 runs on the board every day, but we try to maximize every single thing to make our lead bigger.” Yamamoto gave up his only run …

9 months, 3 weeks ago

Frustrated Dodgers fall to Reds, extend losing streak to five games

LA Times

Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes, right, speaks with pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the third inning of a loss to the Reds Sunday in Cincinnati. “So we’ll try and get on the heater tomorrow.” The Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani stands in the dugout after grounding out during the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday. “When you get a good pitch to …

10 months, 1 week ago

Topsy-turvy game ends with Dodgers beating Giants in extra innings

LA Times

Mookie Betts celebrates as he scores ahead of Freddie Freeman on Will Smith’s double in the 10th inning Monday. And in the Dodgers’ 6-4 win, there were plenty of them in a game that featured an early pitchers’ duel, a late-inning bullpen battle, and a dramatic extra-inning ending, when Will Smith hammered a go-ahead two-run double in the top of …

10 months, 2 weeks ago

‘He is starting to become that guy’: Yoshinobu Yamamoto shines in Dodgers’ victory

LA Times

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is starting to give the Dodgers that feeling. “You start to have that feeling like, ‘It’s Yamamoto’s day,’” manager Dave Roberts explained with a smile before first pitch. Though he gave up a first-pitch home run to Jazz Chisholm Jr., he was able to “stay calm … and execute my pitches” he said through his interpreter postgame, mixing …

11 months, 2 weeks ago

Inside Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s MLB transition, which continued in Dodgers’ win over Cubs

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during the first inning of a 4-1 win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday. “He just didn’t want a repeat of Seoul,” manager Dave Roberts said proudly postgame, contrasting Saturday’s effort with the five-run, one-inning dud Yamamoto endured in South Korea to start his rookie season. “Just being mindful of that, …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto proves he can pitch in MLB

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks back after a pitch against the Cardinals on Saturday. Eight days after a cataclysmic debut in South Korea that raised concerns about whether the Dodgers set $375 million ablaze when they signed Yamamoto, the Japanese right-hander pitched five scoreless innings in a 10-inning, 6-5 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals. Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is …

11 months, 3 weeks ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s bounce-back start spoiled as Cardinals expose Dodgers bullpen

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during the fourth inning of a 6-5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. “A guy like Joe Kelly,” Roberts said, “it really shouldn’t, doesn’t matter when he pitches.” Only this time, it did, with Kelly’s sloppy seventh looming as the biggest factor in a preventable defeat. “He’s a …

1 year ago

Yamamoto chased after 1st inning of debut as Padres beat Dodgers 15-11 for 2-game South Korea split

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — After chasing Yoshinobu Yamamoto from his major league debut after one inning and scoring their most runs ever against the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego’s Xander Bogaerts was sad to leave the Gocheok Sky Dome. Jake Cronenworth tied a career high with four hits and had four RBIs as the Padres outlasted the Dodgers 15-11 on …

1 year ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasts 1 inning in Dodgers debut, gives up 5 runs to Padres

Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea — Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted just one inning in his Los Angeles Dodgers’ debut after signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract, giving up five runs to the San Diego Padres in a 15-11 loss on Thursday night. “I just got to get ready for the next outing.” San Diego batted around, and Michael Grove relieved Yamamoto with …

1 year ago

Startled Dodgers move on after Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter accused of theft, gambling

LA Times

The camera shot of the dugout looked reminiscent of so many before. As The Times first reported, representatives of Ohtani accused his interpreter of engaging in a “massive theft” of the two-way star’s funds, with millions of dollars of Ohtani’s money allegedly used to pay off gambling debts Mizuhara owed to a bookmaker. Like I said, no matter what cards …

1 year ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto battered by Padres in slugfest as Dodgers split series in Korea

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto lasted only one inning in his MLB debut, allowing five runs to the Padres on Thursday. “This team has been through a lot, as far as the core guys over the years,” manager Dave Roberts said, downplaying the impact of Ohtani’s off-the-field drama compared to his team’s three errors, six walks allowed and 17 hits …

1 year ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's success rooted in a willingness to change

LA Times

Yoshinobu Yamamato did what? Dodgers Yoshinobu Yamamoto agrees to 12-year, $325-million deal with Dodgers Japanese pitching ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto agreed to a deal with the Dodgers, joining the newly acquired Shohei Ohtani and Tyler Glasnow on the team. If a player made an error, Yamamoto would joke, “You better hit.” Miyagi said he often pitched the day after Yamamoto, which …

1 year ago

‘The numbers weren’t good’ for Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto in second spring start

LA Times

Yoshinobu Yamamoto did not feel comfortable pitching out of the stretch on Wednesday, which was unfortunate seeing as the new Dodgers right-hander spent most of his rocky three-inning stint against the Chicago White Sox with runners on base. I was testing a couple of things, and that was good.” Yamamoto, who breezed through two scoreless innings against the Texas Rangers …

1 year ago

Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto says tipping pitches ‘not really a big concern’ for him

LA Times

It took all of one exhibition start for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to be exposed to some of the “dark arts” practiced in the major leagues, with SportsNet LA broadcasters noting during Yamamoto’s Feb. 28 Cactus League debut that the center-field camera caught him changing his grip before throwing his signature split-fingered fastball. “It’s not really a big concern for me at …

1 year ago

Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws 2 impressive, scoreless innings in MLB exhibition debut for Dodgers

Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Even Shohei Ohtani was intrigued by Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s exhibition debut Wednesday, making the 30-minute drive through Phoenix suburbs in a white convertible to show his support for a fellow Japanese star, even though he wasn’t playing in the game. When Yamamoto was asked how Ohtani judged the outing, the pitcher grinned and said “so-so.” Roberts said the …

1 year ago

‘He’s comfortable.’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues Dodgers acclimation with strong spring debut

LA Times

Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw two scoreless innings against the Rangers in his spring training debut. During one of their first conversations at Dodgers camp, as the team planned out Yamamoto’s schedule for the spring, Prior asked his new starter about his routine for “touch and feel” bullpen sessions — brief, low-effort throwing activities mostly meant to keep a …

1 year ago

‘Cerebral’ Tyler Glasnow makes Dodgers debut, targets series start in South Korea

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow, right, watches as Yoshinobu Yamamoto throws during a spring training workout at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 17. “Very cerebral,” Roberts said Saturday morning, describing his early impressions of Glasnow shortly before the pitcher’s spring debut with the club. This last week, Roberts called it a “safe bet” that Glasnow and fellow offseason acquisition Yoshinobu Yamamoto — …

1 year, 1 month ago

‘He can be a frontline starter.’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto flashing his star potential

LA Times

Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto works out during spring training at Camelback Ranch. “That,” Freeman said, “was incredible.” Each of the reactions were in response to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ new $325 million Japanese star who threw his first live batting practice of the spring Saturday morning. “He’s very intelligent, very curious, and he’s going to be prepared and understand how …

1 year, 1 month ago

Shohei Ohtani ‘trending’ toward being ready for opening day after first batting practice

LA Times

Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani walks back to the clubhouse after a spring training workout Sunday at Camelback Ranch. But, in his first on-field batting practice since undergoing elbow surgery last year, the new Dodgers star didn’t need full power to put on a thunderous display. “Every swing got really strong with some good results.” Shohei Ohtani is taking on-field …

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3 days, 8 hours ago