​The Los Angeles Dodgers decided not to have Yoshinobu Yamamoto take the mound in Tuesday’s All-Star Game after thoughtful consideration. Yamamoto is scheduled to make his final start before the All-Star break on Saturday, July 11, when the Dodgers host the Arizona Diamondbacks, and then he will not be pitching again until after the midsummer classic. The decision to rest him during the All-Star festivities comes as the team weighed how feasible it would be for Yamamoto to pitch, given his strong desire to maximize his number of starts this season.
“For me, it’s about reading the situation and reacting,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Wednesday. “Let’s just get him through his start and see how he feels. And also, if he really wants it and it makes sense, we’ll have that conversation.” The Dodgers had a bullpen game on Friday, so they will need Yamamoto to provide length on Saturday, likely allowing him to stretch out and go deep into the game.
Even though Yamamoto isn’t pitching in the All-Star Game, he plans to attend the festivities in Philadelphia, according to Roberts. The All-Star break will give him a chance to recharge, while the rest of the team enjoys the showcase of talent across the league.
This season has been a bit more challenging for Yamamoto relative to his phenomenal postseason workload, but it’s consistent with the adjustments and recovery expected after such a heavy usage pattern. He returned to training promptly after a short break, aiming to keep his body in sync with the demands of the schedule and to maintain peak fitness. Early in the year, his WHIP stood at 1.009 in the opening month, a strong start by any measure, though it would later improve as the season progressed. By June, Yamamoto had impressed with a minuscule 0.635 WHIP, a number that included his near-no-hitter and underscored his continued effectiveness against hitters.
July has brought a slight uptick in Yamamoto’s WHIP, but he remains one of baseball’s elite pitchers in terms of limiting hits and free passes while keeping opponents guessing with a diverse and well-executed pitch mix. On the Fourth of July, he delivered seven strong innings, allowing only three hits and two walks while striking out ten. That performance showcased what he can accomplish when his repertoire is firing on all cylinders and his command is precise from the outset.
As the Dodgers prepare for the second half of the season, Yamamoto’s health and workload management will be a focal point for the coaching staff. The team is confident in his ability to perform at a high level while balancing rest and practice, ensuring he’s ready for the stretch run and potential postseason push. The decision to give him time off for the All-Star Game is part of a broader strategy to preserve his effectiveness while continuing to push for maximum production from the Japanese ace.
Roberts praised Yamamoto’s recent display, noting that he looked like an All-Star in his recent outings. “He came out with a purpose,” Roberts said. “You could see the intent tonight. Execution was really good from pitch one and gave us a chance to reset the bullpen and provided length—he pitched like an All-Star.” Yamamoto’s performance has reinforced the confidence the Dodgers have in his ability to anchor their rotation during crucial portions of the season, even as the team makes careful decisions about rest and workload.