Yoshinobu Yamamoto山本由伸
Japan's most decorated starter of his generation, and the 2025 World Series MVP.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto moved from the Orix Buffaloes to the Dodgers in 2024 on the largest contract ever given to a pitcher at the time. This page covers his background, what Japanese awards he won, and how to read his numbers.
Profile
| Team | Los Angeles Dodgers |
|---|---|
| Position | Starting pitcher |
| Number | 18 |
| Born | Aug. 17, 1998 (age 28) |
| Hometown | Okayama |
| Throws and bats | Throws right, bats right |
Profile details checked Nov. 4, 2026 against MLB.com and major news outlets.
Season stats
2026 (MLB.com stats)
Stats refresh each morning from MLB data.
Career timeline
- 2017
Joins the Orix Buffaloes.
- 2021
Helps Japan win gold at the Tokyo Olympics.
- 2021 to 2023
Wins the Sawamura Award, Japan's top award for a starting pitcher, three years in a row, along with three straight Pacific League MVPs.
- 2023
Wins the World Baseball Classic with Japan. In December, signs with the Dodgers for 12 years and $325 million, the largest contract for a pitcher at the time.
- 2024
Makes his MLB debut and joins the Dodgers' rotation.
- 2025
Named World Series MVP as the Dodgers repeat as champions.
- 2026
14 wins, a 2.53 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 28 starts.
What is the Sawamura Award?
The Sawamura Award goes to the best starting pitcher in Japanese pro baseball each year. The criteria include complete games, wins, ERA and strikeouts, and it is treated as the top honor a starter can win.
Yamamoto won it three years running from 2021. That is why his move to the majors drew so much attention in Japan: he was, by most measures, the best pitcher in the country.
Japan and MLB use different rotations
In Japan, starters usually pitch once a week, with six days between starts. In MLB, teams generally use five starters and pitch on four days of rest.
The ball and the mound also feel different, so even dominant Japanese pitchers often need time to adjust. Yamamoto became a core member of the Dodgers' rotation.
Frequently asked questions
- What team and number does Yamamoto wear?
- He plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers and wears number 18.
- How much is his Dodgers contract worth?
- Twelve years and $325 million, signed in December 2023. It was the largest contract for a pitcher at the time.
- How many Sawamura Awards has he won?
- Three, from 2021 to 2023.
- What did he do in the 2025 World Series?
- He was named World Series MVP as the Dodgers won their second straight title.