Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has made a long-lasting mark in just two years in LA, and has risen to become one of MLB’s best pitchers during his time in the States.
Before he became a Los Angeles legend, though, Yamamoto first had to sign with the team he has found so much success with.
Footage of Yoshinobu Yamamoto and his agent surfaced in an MLB docuseries about his move to MLB, and the recording shows the two talking about the details of Yamamoto’s contract. Upon receiving the news Yamamoto’s contract would contain the opportunity to opt-out after his sixth season, the starter and his agent gave each other a celebratory handshake.
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The inclusion of an option in his contract clearly leaned Yamamoto towards choosing LA, and the rest is history.
The starter had a solid rookie season in 2024, posting a 7-2 record with a 3.00 ERA through 90 innings pitched.
Yamamoto took a huge step in his 2025 campaign, and well surpassed the high expectations laid on his following his impressive rookie season.
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The right-hander posted a 2.49 ERA through 30 starts, and surpassed 200 strikeouts for the first time in his MLB career. He made his first All-Star Game last season and finished third in Cy Young voting while allowing the fewest hits per nine innings across MLB. He was one of just six qualified players to maintain a WHIP below 1.000 during the 2025 season.
Yamamoto continued his dominant streak into the postseason, where he had one of the most impressive pitching performances of all time. He made five starts in the postseason, allowing one earned run or fewer in four of this games. The 27-year-old managed two complete games in a row, and allowed just two earned runs through 17.2 innings pitched in the World Series, earning him the World Series MVP.
He still has four more years on the Dodgers before his player option comes, giving the Dodgers and their fans plenty of time to witness his greatness.
Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
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