Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto emphasized that his primary motivation for joining the team was his unyielding desire to win, regardless of Shohei Ohtani’s presence in the lineup.
During a press conference on Wednesday, Yamamoto, now sporting the No. 18 jersey, officially joined the Dodgers, following in the footsteps of Ohtani. Despite Ohtani also choosing the Dodgers, Yamamoto stated, “I wouldn’t say he was the sole reason in deciding to come here, and if he went somewhere else, I probably would have still ended up in L.A. Winning now and winning into the future was probably the most important thing in making this decision.”
The 25-year-old pitcher inked a remarkable 12-year, $325 million contract with Los Angeles, swayed by the team’s commitment to victory. Yamamoto expressed gratitude that Ohtani structured his own 10-year, $700 million deal in a way that allowed the Dodgers to pursue other talents like himself.
“In my discussions with the front office, it was abundantly clear that they were dedicated to winning,” Yamamoto remarked. “Furthermore, the fact that Shohei was doing the same indicated that it wasn’t just the front office but also the players who embraced this winning culture. That resonated deeply with me.”
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes commended Yamamoto’s talent and work ethic, highlighting his impressive long toss routine and unwavering focus during pre-game warmups.
“When you watch him play, one of the first things you notice is an incredibly impressive game of long toss, where the ball seems to follow a straight line and often appears as though it could knock the catcher’s mitt right out of his hands,” Gomes noted. “Each throw he makes leading up to the game carries a distinct level of intent and concentration.”
Yamamoto now joins a pitching roster that includes Tyler Glasnow, recently acquired in a trade, and Walker Buehler, set to return next season after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Reflecting on his journey, Yamamoto acknowledged that while he didn’t choose the Dodgers solely because of past Japanese pitchers like Kenta Maeda, witnessing Maeda’s performance in a playoff game during his younger years strengthened his determination to play in the major leagues.
“I wouldn’t say that was the sole reason for choosing the Dodgers, but when I was 19, I did come to watch a playoff game here, and in that game Kenta Maeda did throw, and it made me feel more strongly about coming overseas to play in the big leagues,” Yamamoto recounted.
Fluent in English, Yamamoto introduced himself before allowing his interpreter to handle questions. Until Ohtani’s return to the mound in 2025, Yamamoto is poised to be a prominent figure in the Dodgers’ pitching lineup.
“He said, ‘Ask me anything you ever need,'” Yamamoto shared, referring to Ohtani’s support. “So it really felt comfortable talking to him about it. To be able to play with him from here on out definitely means a lot.”
Looking back on his journey, Yamamoto admitted that his high school self would have been astounded by his current position. However, he believes that he has remained true to his principles since entering the league at the age of 18.