Dating rumors have begun swirling around Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Japanese model Niki Niwa after the two were recently spotted together at a mall in Beverly Hills. Their public outing has sparked widespread speculation about a potential romance between the star pitcher and the popular model.
The rumors gained traction when TikTokker Jack Banana approached the pair during their shopping trip. In a video shared on social media, Jack Banana can be heard asking, “Are you Yoshinobu?” to which the pitcher responded with a simple, affirmative nod.
He then directed his attention to Niwa, asking her how she was doing and what her name was. She smiled and introduced herself as “Niki,” confirming her identity to the curious onlooker.
Niki Niwa is a well-known figure in Japanese entertainment, having starred in the popular Netflix reality series “Terrace House,” which garnered an international audience, as well as in the streaming service’s romantic drama “Peanut Butter Sandwich.”
Her career in modeling and television has made her a recognizable personality, and her appearance alongside Yamamoto has led to a flurry of excitement among their fans, with many wondering if the two are indeed an item.
RELATED: Shohei Ohtani Shares Heartwarming Moment with Wife Mamiko Tanaka
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who joined the Dodgers in a major signing last season, is one of the latest stars to make the transition from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) to Major League Baseball (MLB).
The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a lucrative 12-year contract worth $325 million, solidifying their commitment to bringing elite international talent into their roster. The Dodgers also inked a blockbuster deal with fellow Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, valued at $700 million, with a significant portion of the money deferred to allow Los Angeles to maintain financial flexibility for signing other top-tier players.
In his first season with the Dodgers, Yamamoto made an impressive mark. He posted a 7-2 record, racking up 105 strikeouts while maintaining a 3.00 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP in 90 innings pitched during the regular season.
His performance played a key role in the Dodgers’ successful campaign, helping to anchor the pitching rotation and deliver quality starts when it mattered most.
Yamamoto’s excellence continued into the postseason, where he went 2-0 with a 3.86 ERA as the Dodgers made their run to the World Series. In the Fall Classic, Yamamoto played a pivotal role, particularly in Game 2 against the New York Yankees.
In that game, he pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing only one earned run and striking out four batters as the Dodgers secured a 4-2 victory. His contribution helped set the tone for the series, which the Dodgers ultimately won in five games, claiming the World Series title.
Yamamoto’s teammate, reliever Daniel Hudson, was full of praise for the pitcher’s ability to adapt to the challenges of MLB in his first year. “Obviously, coming over to this league can be a big-time culture shock,” Hudson said after Game 2 of the World Series.
“This country, this league, is completely different from what he grew up with, playing over there, so everybody kind of figured there would be some growing pains. But he’s got elite stuff, he’s got a good head on his shoulders. … We were pretty pumped to get him back there at the end of the year.”
Hudson’s comments highlighted the difficulty many international players face when transitioning to MLB, both in terms of adjusting to a different style of play and adapting to a new culture. Despite those challenges, Yamamoto demonstrated resilience and skill, quickly becoming a key player for the Dodgers and proving that he was well worth the investment.
As for the dating rumors, neither Yamamoto nor Niwa have publicly commented on their relationship status, leaving fans to speculate about their connection.
The sighting at the mall, along with the warm interaction captured on video, has only fueled interest in their personal lives, particularly among fans in Japan and the United States who are eager for more details.
Whether or not the rumors are true, it’s clear that Yamamoto is settling into life in Los Angeles both on and off the field. With a stellar debut season behind him and plenty of support from teammates like Hudson, Yamamoto looks poised to continue making an impact for the Dodgers.
Meanwhile, fans will undoubtedly be keeping an eye out for more appearances by the pitcher and the model, curious to see if this rumored romance continues to blossom.
