Dodgers Interview: Yamamoto didn’t like his outing any more than you did
"Today was just no good."
LOS ANGELES — Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s second year in the majors has featured moments of brilliance, but Friday night’s 6–2 loss to the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium was not one of them. The Dodgers’ prized right-hander struggled with command, walking three batters in the third inning before surrendering a go-ahead grand slam that put the game practically out of reach early. After the loss, Yamamoto offered a candid assessment of his performance, taking full responsibility for the momentum-shifting inning.
“I wasn’t able to hit the spots I was aiming for,” Yamamoto said, speaking in Japanese. “That led to loading the bases with three walks, and then came the home run. So that third inning, that’s really the part I need to reflect on the most.”
Manager Dave Roberts noted postgame that Yamamoto seemed to be “too fine” with his pitches—trying to nibble at the edges rather than attack the zone. Yamamoto acknowledged that he was frustrated with both the execution and results.
“The way I gave up the runs was really bad,” he said. “And pitch by pitch, nothing was really satisfying. I tried to reset my mindset and stay focused to get back on track, but I couldn’t make the adjustments I needed.”
In the past, Yamamoto has been known for his calm and stoic presence on the mound. But on Friday night, that composure gave way to rare signs of visible frustration.
“Yeah, I was frustrated,” he admitted. “Every pitch felt off. I just wasn’t satisfied with the quality of my pitches.”
There’s been some speculation as to whether the Dodgers’ use of a five-day rest schedule rather than six, which is more typical in Japan, has contributed to his recent struggles. But Yamamoto was quick to dismiss that as an issue.
“I don’t think the rest schedule is a problem,” he said. “I’ve been using those five days well, and I’ve felt good physically. I really don’t think that’s the cause.”
Still, Yamamoto admitted that there’s more he can do when given six days between starts.
“With six days, I can do a bit more,” he said. “But it’s not a matter of rest being too short. I don’t feel like that’s holding me back.”
He also emphasized the importance of efficiency, especially given how much trouble he had extending into the fifth inning Friday night.
“Of course, throwing fewer pitches and going deeper into games is important,” he said. “To do that, I need to stay locked in against each hitter and be more consistent with my command.”
The outing continued a frustrating stretch for Yamamoto, who began the season strong but has shown some uneven results lately. When asked how much frustration he’s feeling about not replicating his early-season form, Yamamoto took a philosophical view.
“There are always things to reflect on, even after good starts,” he said. “And even in a bad outing, there are some things that go right. So every game is a learning experience. I just want to find positives and build on them.”
He reiterated that his physical condition is not an issue, even after two and a half months of heavy usage.
“There’s some fatigue of course, but overall, my condition is very good,” Yamamoto said. “I’ve been getting good rest and putting in solid work during practice. It’s just that some starts have stood out more than others, good or bad. I want to be more consistent and help the team more regularly.”
Ultimately, Yamamoto offered no excuses for the loss and made it clear that his focus is already shifting to his next opportunity.
“Today was just no good,” he said bluntly. “But I’ll move forward and prepare for the next game.”
The Dodgers remain committed to Yamamoto, who has shown flashes of elite ability, but Friday’s outing served as a reminder that even the best need time to adjust. As the season wears on, consistency—and perhaps just a bit more aggression—will be key to turning the page on nights like this.
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