Yoshinobu Yamamoto closed the book on his sophomore MLB season with six shutout innings on Thursday to help the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the National League West title.
Yamamoto finished 2025 with a 2.49 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 201 strikeouts and 173.2 innings pitched across 30 starts. With 201 strikeouts, Yamamoto became the first Dodgers pitcher to reach 200 in a single season since Walker Buehler in 2021.
Buehler finished with 212 strikeouts that year and he also accomplished the feat in 2019 behind a career-high 215. Buehler was a Dodgers All-Star in both seasons he surpassed 200 strikeouts.
Prior to the right-hander, Clayton Kershaw was the last Dodgers pitcher to reach 200 strikeouts as he did so in 2017 with 202.
This year showcased the exact kind of progression the Dodgers were hoping to see from Yamamoto after a promising rookie campaign. The $325 million contract the Dodgers gave Yamamoto, the richest for a pitcher in MLB history, looks like a wise investment as he figures to help anchor the rotation for years to come.
While Yamamoto is not talked about enough as one of MLB’s premier starters, the players in the Dodgers clubhouse recognize the caliber of player he is.
“He’s not forgotten on our team. He’s been unbelievable,” Kershaw said. “Today was just another dominant performance. “I know Skenes had a great year and he rightfully should win the Cy Young, but Yama is right there if not more. We’re glad he’s on our team.”
Freddie Freeman was sold on Yamamoto’s talent last season, but he was blown away by what the second-year pitcher accomplished in 2025.
“I think when you look at the numbers, you’ve got a sub-2.5, a sub-1 WHIP, you’ve got 200-plus strikeouts, it’s absolutely incredible what he was able to do,” Freeman said.
“When he got hurt last year and missed three months, then what he did in the postseason for us, it was incredible.”
Yoshinobu Yamamoto reflects on 2025 season
By all accounts, Yamamoto’s rookie season in MLB was a complete success. He had the occasional poor outing and missed three months of the season due to injury, but absolutely made up for it once he returned to the rotation.
Now, he’s made the leap in year two and rewarded the Dodgers’ belief in him. Out of all his accomplishments this season, staying healthy is one Yamamoto most proud of.
“I’m really happy I was able to maintain good condition and performance throughout the season,” he said through a translator.
Yamamoto was frustrated by how much time he missed last season, so it’s no surprise his health was a priority in 2025.
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