Yoshinobu Yamamoto has carried his impressive rookie momentum into the 2025 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, quickly establishing himself as a dominant force on the mound. The right-hander maintained a pitching schedule resembling his previous routine in Nippon Professional Baseball, taking the mound roughly once a week. Since May, however, he has mostly pitched every six days with plans to potentially reduce rest between starts.
Although he has not yet pitched on just four days of rest with the Dodgers, Yamamoto expressed confidence in his ability to handle a shorter recovery period, attributing this to how well his body has been recovering after each appearance. He detailed his ongoing discussions with the Dodgers’ trainers about adjusting his rest days based on his physical condition after every outing.
“This year, my body has recovered really well,”
Yamamoto said.
“I often check with the trainers after the game, and we talk about how if it’s like this, I could throw in four days, or how if I feel like that, I might be a little later. We go through different scenarios like that every week. I still haven’t started on four days’ rest, but I think my preparation to do that has gone well.”
—Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers Pitcher
Adapting to New Rest Patterns and Overcoming Early Season Challenges
The Dodgers had initially contemplated a traditional five-day pitching schedule for Yamamoto during the previous season, but those plans changed when he was sidelined with a right rotator cuff strain, resulting in a 15-day injured list placement. This season, moving from longer rest periods to a six-day routine caused Yamamoto some initial difficulty, but he has since rebounded convincingly.
His recent performances have been outstanding, reflecting a 1.82 ERA and 0.93 WHIP across his last five starts. During those 24.2 innings, he tallied 29 strikeouts against just seven walks. One of those outings against the Milwaukee Brewers was a rare setback, lasting only two outs, but he overcame it with a dominant seven scoreless innings effort against the San Francisco Giants just before the All-Star break.
Following the midseason pause, Yamamoto continued to display strong pitching by limiting the Minnesota Twins to three runs, only one of which was earned, in five innings pitched. His next scheduled start is set for Monday against the Cincinnati Reds.
Statistical Highlights and Rotation Strategy for the Remainder of 2025
Over the course of 20 starts this season, Yamamoto has recorded an 8-7 win-loss tally along with a 2.55 ERA, a 3.08 FIP, and a 1.05 WHIP. His strikeout rate remains impressive at 10.2 per nine innings across 109.1 innings pitched. While he has shown openness to pitching on shorter rest, the Dodgers currently plan to maintain a six-man rotation to manage workloads, especially with the upcoming return of Blake Snell.
This rotation strategy aims to maximize the effectiveness and health of their pitching staff while continuing to benefit from Yamamoto’s elite level of performance. His ability to adapt and potentially pitch on four days’ rest could provide the Dodgers with additional flexibility as the season progresses.
Implications for the Dodgers’ 2025 Campaign
Yamamoto’s willingness and preparation to pitch on four days’ rest could mark a significant development for the Dodgers, offering a tactical advantage if implemented. His strong recovery and recent dominant outings position him as a dependable ace within a rotation bolstered by Blake Snell’s return.
If Yamamoto can successfully transition to more frequent starts without compromising his performance or health, the Dodgers may gain critical momentum for the remainder of the 2025 season. Fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how these adjustments impact both his individual stats and the team’s overall success.