Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a right-handed starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Born August 17, 1998, in Bizen, Japan, he stands 5-foot-10 and weighs 176 pounds. His MLB debut date was March 21, 2024. In the 2026 regular season to date, Yamamoto has made 15 starts and logged 97.2 innings, going 8–5 with a 2.672 ERA and 0.8908 WHIP. His run prevention has been supported by a 3.3968 FIP, a 4.74 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and 12 quality starts. Opponents have hit .194 against him with a .567 OPS allowed. Pitch-tracking data in 2026 shows a deep mix led by a four-seam fastball averaging 96.0 mph (max 98.3), a sinker averaging 95.4 mph, and a splitter averaging 91.5 mph; his overall average pitch speed is 90.9 mph. He has also featured a cutter (91.2 mph), slider (87.2 mph), and curveball (77.1 mph). A ground-ball lean is reflected in a 2.083 GB/FB. International and national team experience includes appearances for Japan in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (two starts, 6.2 innings, 2.70 ERA) and participation in the 2023 WBC.