Dodgers Make Yoshinobu Yamamoto Signing Official, DFA Reliever

Los Angeles locks up the Japanese ace for the next12 years.

The Dodgers have made the signing of starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto official. The Japanese pitching sensation agreed to a 12-year, $325 million contract with the team, the largest contract ever signed by a pitcher in terms of total value.

Welcome to Los Angeles, Yoshinobu Yamamoto!

ロサンゼルスへようこそ、山本由伸！ pic.twitter.com/nBVUYJpn9V

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 27, 2023

In a corresponding move to make room for Yamamoto on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated left-handed pitcher Bryan Hudson for assignment. In six games with the Dodgers last season, Hudson posted an ERA of 7.27 in 8.2 innings of work.

The Dodgers have designated Bryan Hudson for assignment to make room for Yoshinobu Yamamoto.

— Noah Camras (@noahcamras) December 27, 2023

Yamamoto is officially part of the team. He gives the Dodgers a true ace-level starter for the foreseeable future. 

Here is Yamamoto's statement about joining the Dodgers organization. He reportedly grew up a fan of the team, so this is a dream come true for him.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the Orix organization, the Dodger organization, and all the people close to me who have given me so much support throughout this free-agent process,” said Yamamoto. “I am truly excited to wear Dodger Blue and can’t wait to play in front of a packed Dodger Stadium.”

Statements from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Stan Kasten and Andrew Friedman. pic.twitter.com/6NPR3U2zXz

— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 27, 2023

Yamamoto has been generally seen by most in the baseball industry as the best pitcher to come over from Japan. He has been electric while in NPB, posting an ERA of 1.72 over seven seasons.

The Dodgers will be introducing Yamamoto at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, Dec. 27 at 3 p.m. PT., six days after reports of an agreement first trickled out.

Yamamoto joins countryman Shohei Ohtani and recently acquired pitcher Tyler Glasnow as the newcomers in the Dodgers' billion-dollar offseason spending spree.