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The opt-outs in Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers are reportedly linked to the health of his elbow.
According to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN), Yamamoto can opt out of his contract after the 2031 and 2033 World Series if he has Tommy John surgery or is on the injured list with a right elbow ailment for 134 straight service days between 2024-2029.
If Yamamoto does not miss a significant amount of time due to a right elbow injury or does not have Tommy John surgery, he can opt out after the 2029 and 2031 World Series.
“In the first scenario, the Dodgers would gain a $10 million conditional option for 2036 with no buyout,” ESPN wrote. “Yamamoto does not have the right to block trades but could opt out of the contract after the end of any season in which he is traded.”
Yamamoto can also opt out of his contract in the subsequent offseason if he is traded after a World Series.
The Japanese superstar signed a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers shortly after Shohei Ohtani agreed to a record-setting 10-year, $700 million contract with the franchise. His deal also includes a full-time interpreter, personal trainer and physical therapist.
The Dodgers are World Series favorites after signing both Yamamoto and Ohtani this winter and acquiring Tyler Glasnow from the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his introductory press conference on Dec. 27, Yamamoto indicated that the opportunity to win with the Dodgers was a big factor in his decision to sign with the franchise.
Yamamoto significantly elevates L.A.’s 2024 rotation alongside Glasnow. While Ohtani will not pitch next season after undergoing elbow surgery, the Dodgers can still rely on Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler to round out their rotation.
The 25-year-old spent the last several seasons with the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball. During the 2023 campaign, he went 17-6 with a 1.16 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 176 strikeouts in 171 innings across 24 games.
Yamamoto also won the Japanese league’s Triple Crown and the Eiji Sawamura Award in each of the last three seasons.
After a standout career in Japan, Yamamoto will be met with huge expectations as soon as he steps onto the mound at Dodger Stadium. How he performs in 2024 will be one of the biggest storylines of the season.
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