Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to rejoin Los Angeles Dodgers after three-month hiatus

The right-handed star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto will rejoin the Los Angeles Dodgers next week after he was out of action since three months. He will start Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs as per the team's announcement on Wednesday. 

First start since three months for Yamamoto

Yamamoto has been on the injury list with a right shoulder injury since June 16. He made his second start in Triple-A and the outing wasn't a perfect comeback at field for the right-hander. He threw 53 pitches over two innings, with his pitch count soaring during a 17-pitch at-bat against former big league catcher Omar Narváez.

The Dodgers were looking to get at least three innings out of him before he rejoined the club but it will take three or four starts before the preseason to get him going.

“I think the stuff will be there. I’m not sure about how the command is going to be. So I think the way we’re looking at it is we’re going to get four starts from him, and if we can log four starts and build up volume, we’ll be ready to go beyond that. This is going to be his first postseason here, but he’s pitched in big ballgames,” Roberts said. “Our expectation, why we committed to him, is because of this,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.

 

 

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Dodgers hoping for a Yamamoto return

 

Reintroducing Yamamoto, even with his initial outings restricted to two or three innings, will significantly strengthen the Dodgers' rotation, which has been hampered by injuries. With both Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw currently on the injured list, the Dodgers have been scrambling for solutions as they approach the crucial stretch of the season. 

 

Dodgers roped in Yamamoto for a historic $325 million deal in December 2023. His role is very crucial for the club in the coming weeks ultimately deciding their fate. The Dodgers are hyped up to witness one of the biggest signings back in action. 

 

He was moved to the 60-Day IL on June 16 due to his right triceps tightening. The 25-year-old spent two months on the sidelines before beginning his second rehab with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

 

Yamamoto reflects on his progress

 

“With the results, it doesn’t look good. However, there were good pitches and as a rehab assignment, I think I did all I could do,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda as quoted by Sportskeeda. 

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