The Japanese Trainer of Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be Used by the Dodgers

The Dodgers will also be adding Osamu Yada, popularly known as "Yada Sensei," to their roster in addition to the gifted 25-year-old pitcher. Yada has been a key component of Yamamoto's training regimen throughout his prosperous career in the NPB, Japan's top professional baseball league.

Joel Wolfe of Wasserman, Yamamoto's agent, mentioned this to reporters following Yamamoto's first press conference at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday:

The Japanese news source Sponichi revealed that Yada will be hired by the Dodgers directly to the team's player performance staff, despite Wolfe's silence on the matter. An MLB team that employs an Asian player who is relocating to North America frequently makes such a move.

Yamamoto's practice of throwing javelins in between starts is another example of Yada's "unique" training regimen. Wolfe stated that he will be able to throw the javelins on the field itself because of Dodger Stadium's expansive layout.

Additional information regarding the outcomes Yada assisted Yamamoto in achieving in Japan was provided by ESPN's Jeff Passan:

According to Wolfe, Yamamoto's longevity is closely linked to his collaboration with Yada. In addition to winning the last three Sawamura awards, which are the NPB's version of the Cy Young award, the right-hander pitched no fewer than 171 innings in a season. In 171 innings pitched in 2023 for the Orix Buffaloes, Yamamoto was 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA.

It was a very long season for Yamamoto after Orix forced the Hanshin Tigers to seven games before falling short in the Japan Series. He played a key role in helping Japan win the World Baseball Classic in February. But according to Wolfe, his performance never faltered.

Yada's recruitment by the Dodgers makes sense if there is a causal relationship between Yamamoto's training regimen, injury prevention, and performance.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior recently discussed the significance of "trust on both sides" whenever a new player combines his training regimen with the team's in an extensive interview with MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM.