Yoshinobu Yamamoto Is Already Locked In - And That Should Scare the Rest of MLB
Yoshinobu Yamamoto isn’t just coming off a strong season - he’s coming off a postseason for the ages. The 27-year-old right-hander etched his name into Dodgers history with a playoff run that was as dominant as it was gutsy, helping lead Los Angeles to back-to-back World Series titles. And now, just months removed from that grueling stretch, Yamamoto is already back on the mound, looking sharper than ever.
Let’s not forget what he just did. Yamamoto threw back-to-back complete games in the playoffs - a rarity in today’s game - and then, in a moment that will live forever in Dodger lore, took the ball on zero days' rest in Game 7 against the Blue Jays. That’s not just old-school grit; that’s legendary.
Across the regular season and postseason, Yamamoto logged 211 innings over 36 appearances (35 starts), all career highs. That kind of workload would take a toll on any pitcher, especially with a shortened offseason.
Naturally, there’s been some concern about whether he can maintain that level in 2026. But if early signs are any indication, Yamamoto isn’t just ready - he’s ahead of schedule.
He’s already faced live hitters at Camelback Ranch and, by his own account, he feels better than he typically does this time of year. “Right now, it’s actually better than a normal offseason,” Yamamoto said, through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda. That’s a bold statement from a guy who just shouldered one of the heaviest workloads in the league.
Part of that bounce-back can be credited to how he managed his offseason. Yamamoto took November completely off from throwing, allowing his body to recover before ramping back up for both the Dodgers and Samurai Japan. It’s a calculated approach - one that speaks to his maturity and understanding of what his body needs to stay sharp.
And make no mistake: Yamamoto isn’t just resting on last year’s success. He’s using it as fuel.
“I was able to get into the offseason with a great feeling,” he said. “I was also able to spend this offseason with a little more purpose.”
That mindset - reflecting on what he’s achieved while pushing for more - is exactly what separates good pitchers from great ones.
Despite all he’s accomplished in just two seasons in the majors, there’s still one box Yamamoto hasn’t checked: the Cy Young Award. He came close last year, finishing third behind Paul Skenes and Cristopher Sánchez. No Japanese pitcher has ever won the honor, but Yamamoto has the tools - and now the motivation - to make a real run at it.
He’s also not shying away from more innings. In addition to his work with the Dodgers, Yamamoto is gearing up to pitch for Samurai Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
That’s a high-stakes tournament, and he’s embracing it head-on. Again, this isn’t a guy who’s coasting - he’s doubling down.
What makes Yamamoto even more fascinating is how he trains. While many pitchers focus on building strength, Yamamoto’s routine leans heavily into flexibility and body control.
It’s a unique approach that’s clearly working. Not only has it helped him stay healthy through a taxing season, but it also gives him the kind of command and consistency that’s rare among power arms.
And then there’s the history he made last October. Yamamoto became the first pitcher in World Series history to win three games on the road - including Games 6 and 7.
That’s never been done before. He also became the first pitcher in MLB postseason history to allow no more than five hits, one run, and one walk while recording at least five strikeouts in three consecutive playoff starts.
That’s dominance on a level we rarely see, especially under the brightest lights.
Yamamoto isn’t just a rising star - he’s already one of the most reliable big-game arms in baseball. And if his early spring performance is any indication, he’s not slowing down. In fact, he might be just getting started.