Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Wife, Age, Height, Contract & more
When Yoshinobu Yamamoto stepped onto the mound for Game 2 of the World Series on October 25, 2025, he didn’t just pitch—he made history. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ star right-hander delivered a complete game masterpiece against the Toronto Blue Jays, leading his team to a 5-1 victory and tying the series at 1-1. But as his dominance on the field continues to captivate baseball fans worldwide, questions about his personal life—his relationship status, his famous necklace, and even a wild rumor linking him to pop star Sabrina Carpenter—have sparked equal curiosity online.
Key Summary
- Marital Status: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is not publicly married. While he’s been linked to Japanese model Niki Niwa, no relationship has been officially confirmed.
- Age & Height: Born August 17, 1998, Yamamoto is currently 27 years old and stands 5’10” (178 cm) tall.
- Contract: The Dodgers signed him to a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million deal through 2035—the largest contract ever given to a pitcher at the time of signing.
- Recent Performance: His complete game against the Blue Jays (9 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 8 SO) showcased why the Dodgers made such a massive investment.
- Viral Moments: His signature necklace and the debunked Sabrina Carpenter dating rumor have made him a trending topic beyond baseball circles.
The $325 Million Man: Understanding Yamamoto’s Historic Contract
When the Dodgers inked Yoshinobu Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract before the 2024 season, they were betting on a pitcher who had never thrown a single Major League pitch. The deal, which runs through 2035, was unprecedented—the largest contract ever awarded to a pitcher in baseball history at that time.
What made Yamamoto worth such an astronomical sum? His dominance in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball was nothing short of legendary. Playing for the Orix Buffaloes, he won three consecutive MVP awards and three straight pitching Triple Crowns, establishing himself as the most dominant pitcher in Japanese baseball.
Fast forward to October 2025, and the investment is paying massive dividends. Now in his second MLB season, Yamamoto posted a 12-8 record with a 2.49 ERA, 201 strikeouts, and a 0.990 WHIP across 173.2 innings pitched during the regular season. But it’s his postseason performance that has truly justified the price tag.
Historic World Series Performance Against the Blue Jays
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s October 25, 2025 outing against the Blue Jays was the stuff of legend. In an era where complete games have become nearly extinct—especially in the pressure-cooker environment of the World Series—Yamamoto went the distance, retiring the final 20 consecutive batters he faced.
His final line was masterful: nine innings, four hits, one earned run, zero walks, and eight strikeouts. The performance was a record for a Dodgers pitcher in postseason play and marked his second consecutive complete game of the 2025 playoffs, following a similar dominant outing in the NLCS against the Brewers. He became the first pitcher with multiple complete games in a single postseason since Madison Bumgarner accomplished the feat in 2014.
Teammates described Yamamoto as completely “unfazable” throughout the game, mixing a high-velocity fastball (averaging 96.2 mph) with his devastating splitter to keep Blue Jays hitters off balance all night.
Age, Height, and Physical Profile
At 27 years old, Yoshinobu Yamamoto represents the perfect blend of youth and experience. Born on August 17, 1998, he’s in the prime of his career with many peak years still ahead—a factor that made the Dodgers’ long-term commitment more palatable.
Standing at 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) and weighing approximately 176 pounds, Yamamoto is considered undersized by traditional MLB standards for power pitchers. However, he’s proven that height is no barrier to dominance. His compact build, deceptive mechanics, and elite command have drawn comparisons to other successful pitchers who’ve overcome similar height “disadvantages” to become elite performers.
Family Background: The Story Behind His Name
While Yamamoto keeps much of his personal life private, one touching detail about his family has emerged: his name itself is a tribute to his parents. His grandmother combined “Yoshi” (由) from his mother’s name with “Nobu” (伸) from his father’s name to create “Yoshinobu”—a traditional Japanese gesture that highlights the importance of family heritage and respect in his upbringing.
Born in Bizen, Okayama, Japan, Yamamoto’s parents instilled in him the discipline and work ethic that have become hallmarks of his professional career. However, specific details about his parents remain largely private, respecting the family’s preference to stay out of the spotlight.
Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto Married? Relationship Status Explained
One of the most frequently searched questions about Yamamoto concerns his marital status. To be clear: Yoshinobu Yamamoto is not publicly married as of October 2025.
The pitcher maintains a notably private personal life, but that hasn’t stopped speculation and rumors from swirling. He has been linked to Japanese model and reality TV star Niki Niwa after the two were reportedly spotted together in Beverly Hills. However, neither Yamamoto nor Niwa has publicly confirmed a relationship, and these reports remain unverified.
The privacy surrounding his relationship status is typical for many Japanese athletes, who often prefer to keep personal matters separate from their professional lives.
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The Sabrina Carpenter Rumor: Setting the Record Straight
Perhaps no rumor about Yamamoto has spread faster than the viral speculation linking him to American pop star Sabrina Carpenter. The “Yoshinobu Yamamoto Sabrina Carpenter” pairing became a trending topic on social media in early 2025, with fans creating elaborate theories about a potential romance.
However, this rumor was definitively debunked. Sabrina Carpenter’s representatives publicly denied any romantic connection between the singer and the baseball star in February 2025. There is zero credible evidence that the two have ever dated or even met. The rumor appears to have been pure internet speculation with no factual basis.
This incident highlights how quickly unfounded celebrity gossip can spread in the social media age, particularly when it involves high-profile figures from different entertainment spheres.
The Mystery of Yamamoto’s Signature Necklace
Baseball fans watching Yamamoto pitch have noticed a distinctive accessory: a black, circular necklace he frequently wears on the mound. The “Yoshinobu Yamamoto necklace” has become its own talking point, with fans curious about its significance.
The piece is a Colantotte magnetic health necklace, a brand popular among Japanese athletes. These necklaces use magnetic technology that manufacturers claim helps improve blood flow and relieve stiffness in the neck and shoulders—common problem areas for pitchers.
While scientific evidence supporting these health claims remains debated, many athletes wear them for perceived benefits, comfort, or as part of their game-day routine. For Yamamoto, the necklace has become a signature part of his mound presence, instantly recognizable to fans and adding to his unique persona.
The Bottom Line: Performance Over Rumors
As internet chatter swirls about his personal life, Yoshinobu Yamamoto continues to let his pitching do the talking. His October 25, 2025 complete game against the Blue Jays wasn’t just a win—it was a statement that the 27-year-old is ready to carry the Dodgers through the most important games of the season.
The $325 million contract that raised eyebrows when signed now looks like one of the shrewdest investments in recent baseball history. As Yamamoto continues to dominate through 2035, his legacy will be built on performances like his World Series masterpiece, not on unfounded dating rumors or social media speculation.
For fans searching for information about Yamamoto’s wife, the answer is simple: there isn’t one, at least not publicly. What there is, however, is a generational pitching talent in his prime, wearing his signature necklace and mowing down hitters on baseball’s biggest stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Yoshinobu Yamamoto married or does he have a wife?
A: No, Yoshinobu Yamamoto is not publicly married as of October 2025. While he’s been linked in media reports to Japanese model Niki Niwa, no relationship has been officially confirmed by either party.
Q: What happened in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto vs Blue Jays World Series game?
A: On October 25, 2025, Yamamoto pitched a complete game in World Series Game 2, leading the Dodgers to a 5-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. He allowed just four hits and one run while striking out eight batters with zero walks, retiring the final 20 batters consecutively.
Q: What is the Yoshinobu Yamamoto necklace he always wears?
A: Yamamoto wears a Colantotte magnetic health necklace, a popular brand among Japanese athletes. The necklace uses magnetic technology claimed to improve blood circulation and reduce muscle stiffness, though scientific evidence for these benefits is debated.
Q: Who are Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s parents?
A: While Yamamoto keeps his family life private, it’s known that his grandmother gave him his name by combining “Yoshi” from his mother’s name and “Nobu” from his father’s name—a traditional Japanese gesture honoring both parents.
Q: Is the Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Sabrina Carpenter dating rumor true?
A: No, this rumor is completely false. Sabrina Carpenter’s representatives publicly denied any romantic connection between the singer and Yamamoto in early 2025. There is no credible evidence supporting this claim.
Q: How old is Yoshinobu Yamamoto and how tall is he?
A: Yamamoto was born on August 17, 1998, making him 27 years old as of October 2025. He stands 5 feet 10 inches (178 cm) tall, which is considered somewhat short for an MLB power pitcher.
