LOS ANGELES -- In a surprise move before the Dodgers’ workout Thursday, president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman announced a switch in the starting rotation for the National League Division Series against the Padres.

Right-hander Jack Flaherty was scheduled to pitch Game 1 on Saturday, with righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to take the bump in Game 2 on Sunday. Instead, the Dodgers will go with Yamamoto for the series opener with Flaherty going on Sunday.

“He was great,” Friedman said, when asked what Yamamoto’s reaction was. “He was like, ‘I was going to throw a ’pen either way today or tomorrow. I’m doing it today. I’m great. I’m ready for whatever you guys want.’ He was excited.”

The main factor behind the decision, according to Friedman, wasn’t because of performance. Instead, it was because pitching Yamamoto in Game 1 makes him available for a potential Game 5 in the best-of-five series.

• FAQ: Dodgers-Padres National League Division Series Game 1

With Yamamoto not accustomed to pitching on regular rest, the revised pitching order allows him to stay on the same schedule he had during the regular season.

Flaherty would also be available if the series goes the distance, given he would be on regular rest. The move allows the Dodgers to have more options if the series is extended.

“Yoshi hasn’t pitched on regular,” Friedman said. “Jack’s more accustomed to it. Depending on 'pen usage throughout, it allows us that flexibility in Game 5, if there is one. So it’s just about having more options."

Despite missing nearly three months of his first MLB season to a right triceps injury, Yamamoto made 18 starts in 2024, going 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts in 90 innings.

When the Dodgers made him the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history, these are the type of starts they envisioned for the Japanese right-hander.

“He has experienced pitching in a lot of big games,” Friedman said. “And the one thing that we feel really confident about is that the moment is not going to affect him. He’s going to take it in and feed on that adrenaline and do what he does.”