Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto was the target of an attempted burglary at his home in the Los Angeles area, authorities confirmed. Three individuals tried to enter the residence, shattering glass doors and several windows in the process. However, the break-in was thwarted after a security company alerted 911, prompting a rapid police response that forced the suspects to flee the scene before they could get inside.
Yamamoto was not in Los Angeles at the time of the incident. He was with the team in Cincinnati, where the Dodgers had just pulled off a narrow 5-4 victory over the Reds at Great American Ball Park.
The Japanese star has now joined a growing list of professional athletes who have been targeted by thieves while away from games or team commitments.
A troubling pattern affecting professional athletes
This latest episode underscores a disturbing trend that has impacted players across multiple sports leagues. Before Yamamoto, Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Ketel Marte experienced a similar situation at his Scottsdale residence. In Marte’s case, thieves managed to steal jewelry and other personal belongings, though fortunately, no one was present at the time of the robbery.
Other high-profile athletes have also faced home invasions or attempted burglaries, including Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow and Kansas City Chiefs stars Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce.
The FBI had previously issued warnings to professional sports leagues about a burglary ring targeting athletes, capitalizing on public knowledge of their travel schedules. Authorities confirmed that a suspect from Washington state has already been apprehended in connection with some of these incidents, which have affected both active and retired players.
The crime spree has extended to prominent figures across the NFL and MLB, with victims reportedly including Richard Sherman, Julio Rodríguez, Luis Castillo, Edgar Martínez, and Blake Snell. Concerning the break-ins at the homes of Burrow, Mahomes, and Kelce, several Chilean nationals were arrested and now face federal charges for allegedly transporting stolen property and falsifying records during the ongoing investigation.
The FBI continues to urge professional leagues to advise their players on heightened security measures, particularly during travel-heavy stretches of the season.
For now, Yamamoto remains focused on his performance with the Dodgers, determined to put the unsettling ordeal behind him while trusting law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.
The Dodgers currently boast a 63-45 record, leading the National League West with a .583 winning percentage and holding a four-game edge over the second-place San Diego Padres. Over their last ten games, Los Angeles has gone 5-5 and enters its next series riding a two-game winning streak. The team has scored 566 runs while allowing 496, posting a +70 run differential as they continue their push toward postseason contention.
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