The Los Angeles Dodgers made multiple splashes in free agency during this past offseason, including the signing of Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract.
It represented the largest deal given to a pitcher in MLB history, which placed massive expectations on the 26-year-old heading into his first big league season.
Outside of a nearly three-month stint on the injured list due to right triceps tightness/strained rotator cuff, Yamamoto has been a key contributor in the Dodgers rotation. He finished his regular-season campaign Saturday night with five innings of two-run ball against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
Yamamoto acknowledged that he didn’t have a perfect season but learned a lot in helping the Dodgers reach the playoffs, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“It was not a perfect season for me due to my injury, because I was away from the team,” Yamamoto said through translator Yoshihiro Sonoda. “However, I learned a lot, I experienced great things, and my teammates helped accumulate the wins, leading us into October. I really appreciate it and I’ll like to do my best to contribute.”
Yamamoto has now shifted his focus to the postseason and said he will give everything he has:
“It’s going to be must-win situation,” Yamamoto said. “I’ll do my best to give everything I’ve got and to win.”
The Dodgers prioritized Yamamoto’s long-term health when he was on the injured list as they did not rush him back. He ended up making four starts during the month of September and averaged four innings pitched.
The Dodgers also gave Yamamoto extra rest in between outings and will continue to do so during the postseason.
“I think a priority is to make sure Yoshi stays on his extra rest,” manager Dave Roberts recently said. “I don’t see that changing. Even through October.”
Yamamoto went 7-2 with a 3.00 ERA, 2.61 FIP, 1.11 WHIP and 10.5 strikeouts per nine in 90 innings pitched across 18 starts during the regular season.
When will Yoshinobu Yamamoto make NLDS start?
The Dodgers have not announced the order of their postseason rotation, but Yamamoto will likely start in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
Because of the Dodgers’ keeping Yamamoto on a schedule of not pitching on less than five days of rest, it appears he will only start once during the NLDS.
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