"Yoshinobu Yamamoto's Dodgers Future Hinges on Elbow Condition and MLB Adaptation"

Yoshinobu Yamamoto's $325 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers includes opt-out clauses tied to the health of his elbow. If he undergoes Tommy John surgery or is on the injured list for an extended period due to an elbow injury before 2029, he can opt out after the 2031 or 2033 World Series. If his elbow remains healthy, the opt-out years are 2029 and 2031. The contract also includes a $50 million signing bonus, various personal staff provisions, and travel perks. The Dodgers also paid a $50.6 million posting fee to Yamamoto's former team, the Orix Buffaloes, bringing the total cost of acquisition to over $375 million.