MLB pitcher’s barking dog credited with a save at home and a thwarted break-in

It appears Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s dog helped keep things safe at home when the Dodgers’ pitcher was on a road trip.

The dog’s loud barking and a staff member who turned on lights likely helped thwart a burglary attempt early Wednesday morning at the Dodger phenom’s Hollywood Hills home, law enforcement told NBC4 Investigates. Three people jumped over the back fence at about 5:30 a.m. and broke a rear glass door, but never entered the residence, authorities said.

Nothing was taken from the property.

Staff members were home at the time and turned on the lights. Coupled with aggressive barking from Yamamoto’s dog, the would-be thieves turned tail, law enforcement told NBC4 Investigates on Thursday. Someone at the home called a private security member, who then called police.

Video from NewsChopper4 showed the dog by the pool at the home later Wednesday morning. In an interview with Spectrum Sports, Yamamoto said he adopted the dog from an animal shelter.

“Since I was a kid, I always loved animals because my mom used to work at the veterinary clinic,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter in the interview earlier this year. “Last year, while I was on the IL, my mom visited me in LA. She wanted to visit the animal shelter, so we went there and I fell in love with my dog. So, I adopted him.”

A private security member was at the scene in an unmarked car. Authorities are attempting to determine how the intruders bypassed the officer.

Police told NBC4 Investigates that anyone hiring private security should have them in a marked vehicle to provide a visual deterrent.

No arrests were reported, but law enforcement sources said three people were seen on security camera video. Police, who are looking at security camera video, are attempting to determine whether the crime is connected to one of the many burglary crews operating in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers were wrapping up a series Wednesday against the Reds in Cincinnati.

The 26-year-old from Japan is 9-7 with a 2.63 ERA this season. He pitched seven innings Monday, giving up just four hits and striking out nine in the Dodgers’ 5-2 win.

The attempted burglary is the latest crime targeting the homes of professional athletes in Los Angeles and across the country. Dodgers, Rams and LAFC players have all been recent targets.

Break-ins were reported at the homes of Dodgers infielders Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman in 2023. A burglary was reported at the Los Angeles home of LAFC striker Olivier Giroud in February.

In December, the FBI issued a warning to pro sports leagues about athletes displaying valuables on social media. The best-practices memo, part of standard practice of communicating with businesses and companies about relevant crime trends, urged athletes to limit images of valuables on social media.