Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Yoshinobu Yamamoto

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Yoshinobu Yamamoto made an impact.

Yoshinobu Yamamoto is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers in MLB. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he played for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). In NPB, Yamamoto achieved significant accolades, including being a three-time Pacific League Most Valuable Player, winning the Eiji Sawamura Award, and achieving the Triple Crown three times, which is a league record for a pitcher.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

August 20, 2017: NPB Debut

On August 20, 2017, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) debut for the Orix Buffaloes, three days after his 19th birthday.

2018: Transition to Relief Pitching

In 2018, Yamamoto primarily pitched in relief, appearing in 60 games and achieving a 2.10 ERA. He was selected for the Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Series and finished second in rookie of the year voting.

2019: 2019 WBSC Premier12

In 2019, Yamamoto represented Japan in the WBSC Premier12, pitching five times out of the bullpen, which Japan won.

2020: Shortened Season Performance

During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Yamamoto had an 8–4 record in 18 appearances with a 2.20 ERA.

2020: 2020 Summer Olympics

In 2020, Yamamoto represented Japan at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, pitching in two games and winning a gold medal.

2020: Olympic Gold Medal

In 2020, Yamamoto won a gold medal playing for Japan at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

June 18, 2022: No-Hitter

On June 18, 2022, Yamamoto threw the fourth no-hitter in NPB that year, in a 2–0 win against the Saitama Seibu Lions.

September 9, 2023: Second NPB No-Hitter

On September 9, 2023, Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw his second NPB career no-hitter, blanking the Chiba Lotte Marines, becoming the first pitcher in NPB history to throw no-hitters in consecutive seasons.

December 27, 2023: Signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On December 27, 2023, The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract. The Dodgers also had to pay a $50.625 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes.

2023: Signing with the Dodgers

Following the 2023 NPB season, Yamamoto signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers.

2023: Participation in 2023 WBC

In 2023, Yamamoto participated in two games, starting one, in the World Baseball Classic. He allowed two runs in 7+1⁄3 innings. Japan won gold.

2023: 2023 Japan Series Performance

In 2023, Yamamoto pitched in Game 1 of the Japan Series, surrendering seven runs. However, he followed up with a Game 6 performance where he threw 138 pitches for a Japan Series-record 14 strikeouts. On November 5, after the Buffaloes' Game 7 defeat, the Buffaloes announced that Yamamoto would be posted to MLB. He was officially posted on November 20.

2023: 2023 World Baseball Classic

In 2023, Yamamoto represented Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

March 21, 2024: MLB Debut

On March 21, 2024, Yoshinobu Yamamoto made his major league debut against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, as part of the MLB World Tour.

2024: World Series Win

In 2024, Yamamoto won the World Series in his first season with the team.

2024: 2024 Season with the Dodgers

In 2024, Yamamoto's season with the Dodgers included being placed on the injured list with a strained rotator cuff, later being activated, and finishing with a 7-2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 18 starts. He made his playoff debut in the National League Division Series, and later pitched in the World Series.