Dodgers Use Yoshinobu Yamamoto Out of Bullpen With No Rest

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2025 World Series run added another unforgettable moment. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, their $325 million offseason acquisition, made a stunning return to the mound less than 24 hours after his previous start.

This season’s already full of drama, but Yamamoto’s back-to-back appearances in Games 6 and 7 just hit different. He blended old-school grit with today’s relentless pressure, creating a rare moment that might cement his legacy as one of baseball’s brightest stars.

And honestly, it’s another wild twist in a Fall Classic that’s already felt epic.

Yamamoto’s Unprecedented Game 7 Appearance

Game 6 saw Yamamoto deliver six impressive innings, keeping the Dodgers’ hopes alive. He did it with a mix of precision and power.

But who could’ve seen what came next? The 2025 World Series was deadlocked in the bottom of the ninth. The Dodgers faced a razor-thin situation—one out, a runner on second, and Alejandro Kirk stepping up for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Roberts’ Bold Call

Instead of sticking with left-hander Blake Snell, who was set to face Kirk, manager Dave Roberts made a gutsy call. He handed the ball to Yamamoto, pitching on absolutely no rest, for the game’s most crucial moment.

It felt like a throwback, honestly. You don’t see managers do that these days. Star pitchers used to be workhorses in October, and this move showed just how desperate the Dodgers were to keep their title hopes alive.

A Performance Rooted in Postseason Dominance

Yamamoto’s dominance during the 2025 postseason gave Roberts the confidence to take such a big gamble. All October, the Japanese ace showed elite command and electric velocity.

He kept his composure under pressure, and his willingness to take the ball in back-to-back games says a lot about his competitive spirit. The guy just wants to win, no matter what.

Echoes of Baseball History

Watching a pitcher take the mound on consecutive days in the World Series? That’s almost unheard of in today’s game. It made people think of the gritty legends from past eras.

Back then, pitch counts and rest days barely mattered compared to determination and performance. Yamamoto’s move brought a bit of that old spirit back, at least for a moment.

Layered Storylines of a Classic World Series

The 2025 World Series already had plenty of stories before Yamamoto’s Game 7 heroics. Shohei Ohtani kept breaking records, and Clayton Kershaw was inching closer to retirement.

Yamamoto’s moment added a new layer—one all about resilience, courage, and the pressure-packed reality of championship baseball.

Dodgers’ Championship Urgency

Roberts’ decision showed faith in Yamamoto and the urgency of a franchise desperate for another title. The Dodgers’ championship window is wide open, but it’s fiercely contested.

This was a calculated risk. If Yamamoto struck out Kirk, momentum swung back to the Dodgers. If not, their season ended in heartbreak.

The Growing Legend of Yoshinobu Yamamoto

One thing that stands out about Yamamoto is his adaptability. He transitioned from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB almost seamlessly.

By the time the Dodgers reached the postseason, he wasn’t just a high-profile signing—he was a central figure in their success. Game 7 only made that reputation stronger.

Legacy-Defining Choices

These are the moments that can define a career. For Yamamoto, taking the ball with zero rest in a World Series elimination game says everything about his competitiveness and mental toughness.

Whether the Dodgers ultimately win the championship or not, his willingness to step into the spotlight without hesitation will stick with fans for a long time.

Why Fans Will Remember This Moment

Timeless moments in sports usually come from risk and courage. This was one of those times—a star pitcher stepped up the very next day, chasing a challenge that would define the game.

He felt the weight of personal pride and the hopes of an entire city.

• Historical rarity – Pitchers going on back-to-back days in the World Series? That almost never happens now.
• High-pressure scenario – Bottom of the ninth, tie game, runner in scoring position. You could feel the tension through the screen.
• Postseason brilliance – Yamamoto’s October performance made Roberts’ bold choice look justified.

In 30 years of covering baseball, I’ve watched a lot of great performances. But honestly, very few have matched the drama, importance, or guts of a move like this.

The Dodgers reached back into history. For just one pitch sequence, Yamamoto gave fans a memory that’ll stick around for decades—maybe longer.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Why Dodgers are pitching Yoshinobu Yamamoto out of bullpen with no rest