Report: Dodgers showing strong interest in Yamamoto

The Los Angeles Dodgers are among the teams showing the most interest in free-agent right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, sources told MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Yamamoto is expected to be one of the offseason's top available starting pitchers when he's officially posted by the NPB's Orix Buffaloes.

The 25-year-old is the three-time reigning Sawamura Award winner as Japan's top pitcher. Yamamoto was excellent in 2023, racking up 17 wins with a minuscule 1.16 ERA and 176 strikeouts over 171 innings.

The Dodgers are projected to enter the 2024 campaign with a starting rotation featuring Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller, Ryan Pepiot, Emmet Sheehan, and Ryan Yarbrough.

2023 rotation members Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn, and Julio Urías are all free agents, while right-hander Dustin May is expected to miss a large chunk of next season after undergoing multiple surgeries on his pitching elbow.