LOS ANGELES -- The last week of Spring Training was chaotic for the Dodgers.

When you walked inside the clubhouse at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., big brown boxes were placed in front of every player’s locker. Packing up at the end of spring is common, but the Dodgers were doing so for both the Opening Series in Seoul, South Korea, and to go back to Los Angeles. 

• Everything you need to know about the Seoul Series

But as hectic as the last week was, when the Dodgers boarded their charter plane Thursday morning, the excitement and reality of getting to experience a different culture and one of the most unique cities in the world had finally set in. 

“I’ve never been to South Korea. It’ll be awesome,” Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow said. “They’ve been giving us little tidbits and stuff in South Korea -- how populated it is, how big a city, stuff around it, things to do. I’m excited.”

Of the players making the trip, Glasnow probably has the most travel experience. He has made it a point to travel to at least one foreign city over the last few offseasons. Even on the road during the season, Glasnow takes time to walk around the city. 

He expects to be able to on this trip as well. Of course, his priority will be being ready for Opening Day on Wednesday at 3:05 a.m. PT, but he’ll get plenty of sightseeing done, too. Blending in at 6-foot-8 will be a little more difficult, though.

“It’ll be a really cool experience,” Glasnow said. “One of those things you look back on and, ‘Wow.’ It’ll be an awesome experience.”

Manager Dave Roberts echoed Glasnow’s sentiments. Roberts, who is of Japanese descent, has never been to South Korea and noted he’s excited to visit a country -- and the continent of Asia as a whole -- while also enjoying the unique atmospheres that should resemble those of the Korean Baseball Organization.

“Seeing Seoul and seeing -- you hear comps on what type of city it is to United States cities,” Roberts said. “I’m excited about the Korean people and starting our season. It’s gonna be fun. I’m a big cultural guy and we’re going to do a tour of a palace -- I’m not sure the name of it yet. Might play some golf.” 

Golf is something many players on the team are also looking forward to. Even Yoshinobu Yamamoto might get in on the action with some personalized golf clubs. Mookie Betts is also looking forward to exploring some. Doing so as a superstar, however, won’t be easy. Just ask Shohei Ohtani. 

The Dodgers are expecting more fanfare on the road this season than ever before. Fans across the country have always been present on the road, but this year will be different after signing Ohtani this offseason. Los Angeles’ road games are likely to create some of the craziest atmospheres for a traveling party in decades. And that’s going to be on another level on Wednesday and Thursday in Seoul.

“I don’t think we can appreciate what it’s going to look like,” Roberts said. “But as far as ramping up security and just taking care of the players, it’s gonna be a lot. But my job is just to make sure everyone stays focused on winning baseball games.” 

While the Dodgers are excited for the trip and the sightseeing, their main goal is to win two baseball games against the NL West rival Padres. In order to maximize the club’s chances, Los Angeles brought a sleep and hydration doctor into camp earlier this week in an attempt to help navigate through a 16-hour time difference. 

It’s going to be quite the show in Seoul. And the Dodgers will be in the middle of it all. 

“We have to stay focused on the big picture, which is full season and postseason and where we want to go,” said Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas, who was part of the traveling party to Sydney in 2014. “But definitely this is something that is a challenge for us, and we’re up for it.”

Glasnow and Yamamoto will be the Dodgers’ two starters in the Opening Series against the Padres. Yu Darvish and Joe Musgrove are scheduled to get the start for San Diego. Here’s more info on the Dodgers’ arms.

RHP Tyler Glasnow
2023 season: 10-7, 3.53 ERA, 162 strikeouts in 120 innings

To begin his first season with Los Angeles, Glasnow will be making his second career Opening Day start (he kicked off the 2021 season with Tampa Bay). Glasnow, one of the Dodgers’ big acquisitions during their $1 billion spending spree this offseason, is fully healthy coming into the season after battling injuries the last few seasons. Because of that, the Dodgers believe he has the potential to be in the mix to win the National League Cy Young Award this season.

So far this spring, Glasnow has impressed his new teammates and coaches. In his second Cactus League start, Glasnow struck out five over three hitless innings. He will be the Dodgers’ co-ace this season, and it’ll all get going in Seoul.

“It means everything,” Glasnow said. “Just to sign here, that all being a reality feels crazy. Then when they told me I was the Opening Day starter, I definitely felt a lot of pride and excitement.”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto
2023 season: 16-6, 1.21 ERA, 169 strikeouts in 164 innings (in Japan Pacific League)

Yamamoto dominated the headlines this winter, becoming one of the highest-paid players in Major League history after signing a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers.

Scouts have highlighted Yamamoto’s talent and elite command. With the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball, Yamamoto put together one of the most impressive careers overseas, winning three consecutive Eiji Sawamura Awards, NPB’s equivalent of a Cy Young. In seven seasons in Japan, Yamamoto went 70-29 with a 1.82 ERA and he won the pitching Triple Crown three times in the process.

Over the course of the season, Yamamoto will have to make adjustments to his first year in the Majors. The ball is different, and he will not be pitching once a week, as is the norm in Japan. But this spring, Yamamoto has impressed with a variety of pitches, particularly his signature splitter. His first start as a Dodger and in the Majors will come just a few hours away from where he dominated for years.

“I’m not a complete pitcher yet,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. “I’m very happy to start my career in the big leagues.”

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