Yoshinobu Yamamoto surpassed his previous season’s innings total in just his 17th start of 2025, showcasing why Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes the pitcher deserves a spot in the upcoming MLB All-Star Game. The 26-year-old right-hander, currently holding an 8-6 record with a 2.51 ERA, continues to be a vital asset for the Los Angeles Dodgers amid injuries in their pitching staff.
Why Dave Roberts Supports Yamamoto’s Inclusion as an All-Star
Although the MLB All-Star voting is already in its second phase, Yamamoto aims to make his first All-Star appearance in the major leagues after five appearances in Japan’s NPB All-Star games. Since joining the Dodgers, he helped secure a World Series title, immediately marking his impact. Roberts praised Yamamoto’s performance following a dominant outing against the Chicago White Sox, emphasizing his importance to the rotation.
“Yoshinobu Yamamoto passed his 2024 regular-season innings total (90) in the first inning tonight. Certainly, absolutely, he’s one of the top whatever pitchers that need to be on an All-Star roster, for sure,” —Fabian Ardaya, Baseball Reporter
Roberts reiterated before a recent game,
“Certainly, absolutely, he’s one of the top whatever pitchers that need to be on an All-Star roster, for sure,”
highlighting Yamamoto’s credentials and current form.
Impressive Recent Performances Highlight Yamamoto’s Value
On July 1, Yamamoto delivered a masterful seven-inning performance against the struggling White Sox, allowing only three hits and one earned run while striking out eight and walking just one. His strikeout-to-walk ratio in his last three starts stands out with 19 strikeouts against only two walks, an efficiency that distinguishes him from many other pitchers in the league.
After enduring some setbacks in June—dropping three of five starts and giving up five earned runs twice—Yamamoto has rebounded with solid wins in his last two outings. His losses primarily came against tough opponents such as the San Francisco Giants, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees, underscoring the competitive environments he’s faced.
Yamamoto’s Role in the Dodgers’ Championship Run and Going Forward
Yamamoto was instrumental in the Dodgers’ World Series triumph, securing a win in his opening start by allowing only one hit over 6.1 innings, putting Los Angeles ahead 2-0 in the series. His postseason record stands at 2-0 across four starts, proving his reliability on the biggest stages.
Though he has experienced more losses this year compared to last season, his focus remains on maintaining health to continue contributing as the Dodgers push toward another playoff run. His consistent ability to strike out batters with minimal walks positions him as a key figure in the Dodgers’ rotation during this critical stretch.