Bold opening: Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s World Series heroics didn’t just light up a moment in time—they reshaped how we should think about him, even if he doesn’t want to be labeled a Dodgers legend just yet.
Glendale, Ariz. — Yamamoto’s performance in last year’s World Series was unquestionably historic. Yet when a reporter suggested after Saturday’s workout that he’s now a Dodgers legend, he smiled and shook his head. “Nothing has changed,” he replied. He’s quick to deflect the title, focusing on the craft rather than the acclaim.
But the numbers tell a different story. He won three games, captured World Series MVP honors, and sealed the title by closing out Game 7 after starting Game 6—achievements that would elevate any pitcher’s standing. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t mince words: “He was the World Series MVP, and as a pitcher, that’s rarer than most people realize in today’s game. We knew how valuable he was and how good he is, but to perform on short rest and be a stopper—those are the traits of a staff ace.”
Yamamoto himself reframes the memory. He didn’t dwell on the postseason; he did revisit certain moments in the offseason, including the final out, while also appreciating the many great plays his teammates made. Through an interpreter, he conveyed the sense that the series was a team effort as much as a personal showcase.
The 2025 season also earned Yamamoto a third-place finish in the National League Cy Young Award voting, a nod that underscores his status as a frontline pitcher. All that momentum positions him as the staff ace for defending champion Japan in this year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC). He has already begun gearing up at Camelback Ranch, throwing to hitters in preparation.
Even with a demanding postseason workload—173⅔ innings in the regular season, followed by a heavy postseason schedule—Yamamoto says he feels “actually better than a normal offseason.” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts echoed that confidence, noting his trust in Yamamoto’s conditioning and saying he’s pulling for him to stay healthy and pitch at a high level.
Meanwhile, the WBC adds another layer of intrigue. Dodgers closer Edwin Díaz is headed to join Team Puerto Rico, a return shaped by memory and motivation. Díaz acknowledged that his decision to participate, despite the knee injury he suffered in 2023 during a quarterfinal celebration, was influenced by the opportunity to play in front of Puerto Rico’s fans and family. He described the choice as an easy one once the setting—San Juan for pool play—was known, and he welcomed the chance to represent his people on a global stage.
Not everyone is on the same page about Díaz’s move. Mets owner Steve Cohen called Díaz’s decision “perplexing,” noting a sizable offer from New York that wasn’t far off what the Dodgers paid. Díaz, for his part, emphasized his respect for the Mets organization and his belief in the Dodgers’ plans, framing the switch as a positive new chapter.
Additionally, Gavin Stone, returning from shoulder surgery, has shown progress. He even faced hitters in a Saturday workout, including Shohei Ohtani, who walked and struck out in two simulated at-bats against Stone.
And there you have it: a season that solidified Yamamoto’s status as a cornerstone of a championship pathway, a bold shift in the international stage with the WBC looming, and ongoing narratives about player movement, health, and legacy that invite plenty of debate in the comments.
