The Dodgers’ rookie pitcher is progressing in his recovery from a right rotator cuff strain.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto injury update – The Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in the All-Star lineup after the break. The Dodgers are in the top four in MLB’s latest power rankings and remain in first place in a tight race for the NL West crown.
The Dodgers will benefit 100 percent from Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s return to the team. The 25-year-old first-year starter could be back on the field for LA soon. Yamamoto threw a bullpen session of about 40 pitches today, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. The pitcher will face hitters when the team meets in St. Louis on Friday, according to Ardaya.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been on the shelf since he had to leave a game on June 15 with a torn right rotator. He was placed on the injured list on June 16 and moved to the 60-day IL on July 13.
The Dodgers hope to have Yoshinobu Yamamoto back from the IL soon
The Nippon Professional Baseball star was able to begin a throwing program and had several bullpen sessions over the past week. The next step is to fearlessly face live hitters and work his way up to a simulated game. After that, Yamamoto could go out for a rehab assignment. If all goes well or according to reports, he could return to L.A. later this month or early September.
The Dodgers signed Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million deal through the 2024 season. Los Angeles paid an additional $50.625 million in posting fees for Yamamoto’s services.
The rookie right-hander had been pitching admirably for the Dodgers shortly before the injury. In 14 starts, he went 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA, a 1.068 WHIP, an ERA+ of 137 and 84 strikeouts in 74 innings. Yamamoto had reached 1.7 WAR by the middle of the month of June.
The Dodgers are hopeful he will be back in time to start the post season. Los Angeles is 21 games above .500 and the team holds a 3.5-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres in the NL West entering play on Tuesday.
