Yoshinobu Yamamoto of the Los Angeles Dodgers was selected as an MLB All-Star for the first time on Sunday, but his celebration was short-lived as he faced a tough outing on Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers. In what turned into a disappointing game, Yamamoto was pulled from the game after just two outs into the first inning, having surrendered five runs—three of which were earned.
The Brewers capitalized on Yamamoto’s struggles, ultimately winning the game 9-1. The trouble began with a leadoff double from Sal Frelick, followed by a walk to William Contreras. After briefly gaining some momentum by inducing outs from Jackson Chourio and Christian Yelich, Yamamoto’s downfall was sealed by a three-run home run from Andrew Vaughn, making his first at-bat impactful after a recent trade from the Chicago White Sox.
Following that swing, the innings continued to unravel for Yamamoto. He saw additional runs come in on a throwing error by Mookie Betts and allowed two more hits before being replaced by reliever Jack Dreyer. With only 41 pitches thrown and an ERA spiking from 2.51 to 2.77, the outing reflected the shortest performance of his MLB career.
Despite this setback, there remains a silver lining. Yamamoto’s previous performance leading to the All-Star selection suggests that he has the talent and skill to quickly return to form. As the Dodgers continue to lead the NL West by 6.5 games over their closest competitors—the Padres and the Giants—they can remain optimistic about Yamamoto’s ability to bounce back in future games.
This moment, while disheartening for Yamamoto, is part of the game, and his potential for a strong recovery remains intact. With thoughtful adjustments and support from his team, hopes remain high for his future starts.