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 with the Los Angeles Dodgers of MLB. Prior to joining the Dodgers, he starred for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), achieving remarkable success. From 2021 to 2023, he won three consecutive Pacific League MVP awards, three Eiji Sawamura Awards, and three Triple Crowns, consistently leading the league in wins, strikeouts, and ERA. Yamamoto also pitched two no-hitters and was instrumental in Orix's 2022 Japan Series victory, establishing himself as one of NPB's most dominant pitchers before transitioning to MLB.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2004: José Lima's Playoff Game

In 2025, Yamamoto became the first Dodgers pitcher to throw a complete game in the playoffs since José Lima back in 2004.

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.

2017: Justin Verlander's Post-Season Game

In 2025, Yamamoto became the first Dodgers pitcher to throw a complete game in the playoffs since Justin Verlander in 2017 for any team.

2018: Shift to Relief Pitching

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

2019: WBSC Premier12 Gold Medal

In 2019, Yamamoto earned a gold medal at the WBSC Premier12 representing Japan.

2019: 2019 WBSC Premier12 Tournament

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

2020: Pandemic Shortened Season

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

2020: Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In 2020, Yamamoto earned a gold medal at the Summer Olympics representing Japan.

2020: 2020 Summer Olympics

In the 2020 Summer Olympics, Yamamoto pitched in two games, allowing two runs and striking out 18 batters, as Japan won gold in Tokyo. Yamamoto was named to the All-Olympic Baseball Team.

2021: Pacific League MVP Award

In 2021, Yamamoto finished the season with an 18–5 record and 206 strikeouts. His 1.39 earned run average (ERA) led the league for the season. Yamamoto won the Pacific League Most Valuable Player Award following the season.

June 18, 2022: First NPB No-Hitter

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

2022: Strikeout Record

In 2025, Yamamoto had his highest strikeout total since 2022 in Japan.

September 9, 2023: Second NPB No-Hitter

On September 9, 2023, 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 paid a $50.625 million posting fee to the Orix Buffaloes.

2023: MLB Posting

Following the 2023 season, Yamamoto was posted to MLB and signed a 12-year, $325 million contract with the Dodgers—the largest ever for a pitcher at the time.

2023: 2023 Japan Series

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

2023: 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC)

In 2023, Yamamoto pitched in two games, starting one, in the WBC, allowing two runs. Japan won gold in the tournament.

March 21, 2024: Major League Debut

On March 21, 2024, Yamamoto made his major league debut against the San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, South Korea, allowing five runs in one inning. On April 6, against the Chicago Cubs, Yamamoto picked up his first MLB win.

2024: 2024 MLB Season

In 2024, Yamamoto made 18 starts for the Dodgers, going 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA and 105 strikeouts. He made his playoff debut on October 5, and picked up his first postseason win on October 12. In Game 2 of the 2024 World Series against the New York Yankees, Yamamoto pitched 6+1⁄3 innings, allowing just one run on one hit (a solo home run by Juan Soto).

2024: World Series Title

In his rookie MLB season, 2024, Yamamoto contributed to Los Angeles’ World Series title.

2025: 2025 Post-Season Stats

In 2025, Yamamoto made his first post-season start of the Wild Card Series, allowing only two unearned runs. He then started in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies. On October 14th in the 2nd game of the NLCS vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, Yamamoto threw a 117 pitch complete game, giving up 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 7.

2025: First All-Star Game Selection

In 2025, Yamamoto was named to his first All-Star game.

2025: 2025 MLB All-Star Game and Season Stats

In 2025, Yamamoto was selected to the Major League Baseball All-Star Game. On September 6, he was one out away from throwing a no-hitter when Jackson Holliday hit a home run. He finished the regular season with a 12–8 record in a career high 30 starts, with a 2.49 ERA and struck out 201 batters.