The Los Angeles Dodgers find themselves at a crossroads. Star Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is dazzling on the mound, but his usage is causing sleepless nights for manager Dave Roberts — and may lead to a critical decision that could define the team’s season.

Yamamoto’s Impact: As Good as Advertised

When the Dodgers signed Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a historic 12-year, $325 million contract, expectations were enormous — and the 25-year-old hasn’t disappointed. With an ERA under 3.00 and strikeout-to-walk ratios among the best in MLB, Yamamoto has rapidly become the anchor of the Dodgers’ rotation.

His presence is not just felt statistically. Teammates have praised his work ethic, fans adore his poise, and his jersey is among the top-sellers in the league.

But beneath the surface of his dominance, a growing concern is keeping Dave Roberts up at night.

Workload Worries: A Dangerous Trend?

Yamamoto is coming off several heavy workloads in Japan’s NPB, and now finds himself adjusting to MLB’s grueling travel, larger rotations, and longer season. While he has maintained elite performance, some baseball insiders fear that overuse — especially early in his MLB career — could lead to fatigue or even injury.

“It’s not about how good he is now — it’s about whether he can sustain it through September and October,” said one anonymous NL scout.

Dodgers fans still remember the toll overused pitchers like Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw have paid. Roberts, known for his pitcher management, faces a tough decision: Continue to lean on Yamamoto as the ace, or strategically rest him — risking short-term losses for long-term health.

Roberts’ Dilemma: Performance vs. Preservation

According to sources close to the organization, Dave Roberts is torn.

On one hand, Yamamoto is the most consistent and reliable starter on the team. On the other, data shows a rise in his pitch count per outing, and whispers of “dead arm” symptoms have quietly surfaced among team medical staff.

“Dave is losing sleep over this,” one insider revealed. “He doesn’t want to repeat the past. But how do you rest your best pitcher when you’re fighting for seeding in a stacked NL?”

Potential Solutions on the Table

Roberts and the Dodgers are reportedly exploring several options:

• Six-man rotation: Adding a sixth starter to give Yamamoto more rest between outings.

• Skipped starts: Strategically skipping a few starts around the All-Star break.

• Shortened innings: Limiting his starts to 5-6 innings instead of pushing into the 7th or 8th.

None of these are perfect, especially in high-stakes series against division rivals like the Giants or Padres. But Roberts may have to pull the trigger soon — before fatigue does it for him.

Fan and Media Reactions: Divided but Anxious

On Dodgers Twitter and forums like Reddit’s r/Dodgers, fan opinions are sharply divided.

• Some fans urge caution: “Protect our investment. Yamamoto is the future.”

• Others demand full usage: “We didn’t pay $325M to rest him in July.”

Sports talk radio in L.A. is also buzzing with the topic. ESPN’s Jeff Passan even weighed in:

“The Dodgers are playing a long game. But that long game doesn’t work if the short game fails.”

Conclusion: A Sleepless Summer Ahead?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be the brightest new star in Major League Baseball, but with that brilliance comes tremendous responsibility — for both the player and his manager. As the Dodgers chase another World Series title, the decision about how much to use Yamamoto could define their October fate.