Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Everything you need to know

Yamamoto (3-2) earned the win Monday, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk over six innings against Houston. He struck out eight. Yamamoto allowed three runs but brought some of his best stuff in Houston, tallying 17 whiffs and a season-high eight strikeouts. The right-hander has been dependable early on, completing five-plus innings and allowing three or fewer earned runs in each of his seven starts in 2026. He'll carry a 3.09 ERA and 1.01 WHIP with a 40:10 K:BB across 43.2 innings into his next start, tentatively scheduled for next Monday against San Francisco.

Yamamoto did not factor into the decision Monday, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks over five innings against the Marlins. He struck out four. Yamamoto wasn't at his best, issuing a season-high four walks and allowing three earned runs for the second straight start, highlighted by a three-run homer from Liam Hicks in the fifth inning. The 27-year-old hurler hasn't generated strikeouts at his usual rate, posting a 7.7 K/9, and owns an even 2-2 record, though his overall numbers remain strong to start 2026 with a 2.87 ERA and 1.01 WHIP across 37.2 innings (six starts). Yamamoto's next start is projected to come next week against the Astros.

Yamamoto (2-2) took the loss against San Francisco on Tuesday, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out seven batters over seven innings. Yamamoto looked like he could be in for a short outing after allowing five of the first six batters he faced to reach base and surrendering three runs over that span. However, the right-hander rebounded by retiring 20 of the final 22 batters to come to plate against him. Though the Dodgers' offense couldn't produce enough runs to take Yamamoto off the hook for the loss, he did manage to register his fifth straight quality start to open the campaign. The Japanese hurler leads the league in that category and has added a 2.48 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 28:5 K:BB through 32.2 innings.