Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto may be the reigning World Series MVP, but some are saying he’s found a way to get even better this offseason.
Speaking with the Foul Territory show, Jack Harris of the California Post said Yamamoto has come back healthy, even after a huge workload during the season and, especially, the playoffs and World Series.
Yamamoto famously pitched in Games 6 and 7 of the Fall Classic, helping the Dodgers to a come-from-behind series win and earning that MVP award in the process.
Despite shouldering a heavy burden last year, the Dodgers are hopeful about Yamamoto’s prospects this season.
“He’s going to pitch for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic and there’s a lot of optimism around camp here that he’s going to be able to handle the WBC workload, he’s going to be able to make it through another full season feeling healthy and fresh,” Harris said.
Back and Better Than Ever?
Not only is Yamamoto returning without injury, but he’s also improved his physique in the offseason, Harris said.
“It was interesting to hear him say, ‘I felt good. I went through the offseason, my body felt strong.” He’s coming to camp looking just bigger, more physically imposing.”
While the added strength is a bonus, Yamamoto also has excellent form, something Harris says is beneficial to his health.
“I think it speaks to just the really clean mechanics he has,” he said. “He talked about when he went out there in Game 7 last year, he felt okay and he was able to stay in his delivery.”
Can a Unique Training Regimen Get Unique Results?
Yamamoto has a unique training program that utilizes things like body-weight exercises, handstands and javelin throws.
Is that the key to his success and his health? It’s possible, Harris said.
After all, pitching as much as he did in 2025, winning the World Series MVP and coming back into 2026 ready to go is nothing to scoff at.
“He trains in a really unique way, he takes care of his body in a really unique way, and at least to this point, a couple years into his big league career, it’s worked out all right,” Harris said.
