2024 Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation: How Yamamoto signing impacts pitching staff

The Los Angeles Dodgers have shelled out for a superstar free agent. Where have we heard that before?

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 25-year-old Japanese ace, signed a 12-year, $325 million deal with the Dodgers, joining fellow newcomer Tyler Glasnow in what could be a powerful starting rotation in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers have been aggressive this winter after a relative down year of starting pitching in 2023, a season that ended with a loss to the 84-win Arizona Diamondbacks. Dustin May had season-ending surgery. As did Walker Buehler. Clayton Kershaw missed more than a month.

All of those injuries contributed to a middling Dodgers rotation that ranked 20th in ERA (4.57), 23rd in FIP (4.63) and 21st in fWAR (9.1). The bright spot was rookie standout Bobby Miller (3.76 ERA in 124.1 innings).

Here's what the Dodgers starting rotation could look like with the addition of Yamamoto.

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2024 Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation projection

This projection only factors in arms that will be ready for opening day, so that means no May, Kershaw, or Tony Gonsolin (Tommy John surgery).

Yoshinobu Yamamoto

Despite never pitching in the MLB, Yamamoto has a real shot at being the top starter in an intimidating rotation. The right-hander racked up three-straight Pacific League MVPs and Eiji Sawamura Awards (Japan's version of the Cy Young). Analysts rave about his splitter, curveball and command. Someone doesn't get $325 million for nothing.

Tyler Glasnow

Glasnow has struggled with injuries, logging more than 100 innings in just two seasons since debuting in 2016, but when he has pitched, it's been at a high level. He's a strikeout-machine (11.52 career K/9) that posted a 3.53 ERA across 120 innings in 2023 after a 2021 Tommy John surgery and February 2023 oblique injury.

Walker Buehler

Buehler is not your standard third starter. The 29-year-old was viewed as one of the game's brightest young starters not too long ago, but he missed the entire 2023 season while recovering from Tommy John surgery. He may have an innings limit in 2024 if the Dodgers decide to go that route, but his career 3.02 ERA and track record of suppressing home runs (0.96 K/9) give fans something to dream on.

Bobby Miller, Emmet Sheehan

Two promising sophomores round out the rotation in Miller and Sheehan. The 24-year-old Miller wasn't included in a packed NL Rookie of the Year field last season, but don't let that fool you. The former top-50 prospect recorded a 3.76 ERA in his first season and actually led the team in fWAR among pitchers. Sheehan had a less sparkling rookie debut (4.92 ERA, 3.88 BB/9), but the 6-foot-5 24-year-old offers promising upside.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2024 Dodgers starting rotation projection: Yamamoto joins stud SPs