Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been named the National League Pitcher of the Month for March and April, marking the first such honor of his MLB career.

Yamamoto’s dominant performance has been a key factor in the Dodgers’ very injured rotation. Through the season’s first two months, the right-hander has posted an NL-leading 0.90 ERA and ranks third in the league with four wins. He has also limited opposing batters to a .171 average across 40 innings, which is the second-best mark in the NL.

Los Angeles Dodgers Praise For Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Yamamoto is the first Dodgers pitcher to receive this recognition since Clayton Kershaw in April 2023. His impact has been widely acknowledged by his teammates. All-Star catcher Will Smith described Yamamoto to the Los Angeles Times’ Jack Harris as “pitching like the best pitcher in the world,” adding, “Just executing all of his pitches. Just making it really hard on the hitters. Right now, he’s pitching like the best pitcher in the world. We’re just fortunate to have him.”

The praise extends beyond Smith. Following Yamamoto’s strong outing against the Atlanta Braves on May 3rd, where he held them scoreless with six strikeouts in six innings, Dodgers reliever Evan Phillips told the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett, “He dominated today. And I feel like it wasn’t even the best version of Yama. Which is crazy. The guy, when you talk about routine and work ethic and the talent, this guy’s one of the best in the game, for sure. It’s fun to watch.”

Yamamoto’s current success is particularly crucial for the Dodgers, given the pitching staff’s injury challenges. With Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell, and Shohei Ohtani currently unable to pitch, Yamamoto is playing a vital role in keeping the rotation strong.

The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract, making him the highest-paid pitcher in MLB history. After dealing with a triceps injury that sidelined him for three months last season, Yamamoto is now healthy and showcasing his elite talent in his second MLB season. He has recorded 49 strikeouts and allowed only four earned runs this season.