Dave Roberts Impressed With Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Durability

Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been a model of consistency for the Los Angeles Dodgers since making the jump to Major League Baseball before the 2024 season.

The right-hander is in the midst of another excellent year as he owns a 9-6 record with a 2.85 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 110.2 innings across 17 starts thus far, earning a second career All-Star Game selection.

“It’s remarkable,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Yamamoto’s success. “I think that obviously, Yoshinobu takes very good care of himself, very intentional about his work, his preparation. He’s just a tough, tough competitor.

“Everything is important to him, and you look at the frame, and you just wonder how much toll, workload he can handle. And I’ve fielded a lot of questions about him and how he’s going to respond after the workload from ’25, and he just continues to be consistent. So, not surprised, and just really impressive.”

When Yamamoto first signed with the Dodgers, there were concerns about whether he would be able to stay healthy given his smaller frame. After missing a big chunk of his rookie season, Yamamoto has emerged as a workhorse for the team, averaging more than six innings per start over the past two years.

“I think for me, his delivery is so consistent, repeatable,” Roberts said of Yamamoto’s durability. “He uses his body so efficiently, and I just felt, I see how he takes care of himself, that the tax wasn’t going to be a problem for him.

“And there’s been a lot of pitchers that are not physical, starting pitchers that still over the course of the last 20 years, that have taken a lot of innings and workload. And I just think that Yoshinobu is just a unique athlete”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto not pitching in All-Star Game

Yamamoto decided against playing in the All-Star Game, opting instead to rest his body during the break. Shohei Ohtani also isn’t playing due to continued irritation in his left knee.

“Yeah, he’s not going to pitch in the All-Star Game,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed. “That’s right.”

Yamamoto is still in Philadelphia for the events and ceremonies. If Yamamoto had extra rest going into the All-Star break, he likely would have opted to pitch. However, his schedule didn’t line up, as he would have had just two days of rest.