The Los Angeles Dodgers bullpen has been without Yency Almonte since August 12, when he was placed on the 15-day injured list due to a right knee sprain.
There was an expectation the right-hander would make a relatively quick return, but he has continued to deal with lingering trouble from the MCL sprain. “I think there’s still some soreness,” manager Dave Roberts said last week.
“He’s not on the mound yet, and obviously time is ticking. You can’t rush it. He can only do what his body will allow for.
“He’s getting better every day but honestly, until he gets off a mound and starts facing hitter, it’s just not going to be a real conversation.”
Almonte is now scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday, and how he fares will determine if he is able to return this season, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
Right-hander Yency Almonte (knee) is scheduled to join the Dodgers when they return to Los Angeles on Monday and throw a bullpen session on Tuesday.
“We’ll know more then,” Roberts said of Almonte’s potential return before the end of the season. “I’m hoping the ’pen goes well and we can continue to progress. But I think right now, there’s no time of return.”
Almonte sustained the injury in an August 11 appearance against the Colorado Rockies, when his right knee buckled upon throwing a pitch. He entered the game in the eighth inning and was one out away from sealing the Dodgers’ 6-1 win.
Almonte initially remained in the game before Dodgers manager Dave Roberts removed him after struggling with throwing two more pitches. The 29-year-old felt a responsibility to finish the outing and preserve the bullpen.
Yency Almonte among injured Dodgers pitchers
Along with Almonte, the Dodgers are awaiting the returns of Michael Grove and Joe Kelly. The likes of Walker Buehler, Daniel Hudson, Jimmy Nelson and Blake Treinen have been formally ruled out from pitching again this season or are unlikely to do so.
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