While the Los Angeles Dodgers received unfortunate news with Tyler Glasnow being ruled out from pitching again this year because of a setback in his recovery from right elbow tendinitis, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has fared well since returning from the 60-day injured list.
That’s been all the more imperative in the wake of Glasnow’s season-ending injury. In two starts since being activated, Yamamoto has collected 11 strikeouts over eight scoreless innings as the Dodgers barrel toward October.
“The last few outings, there was both sides, good and bad,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonada. “I still have time, so I think I’m going to throw probably two more games.
“I’ll use those games as a good preparation.”
Yamamoto missed nearly three months due to an official designation of right triceps tightness, but he has looked very much like the dominant pitcher he was before what Dodgers manager Dave Roberts deemed was more of a rotator cuff injury.
While Yamamoto is still building up, his results on the mound have impressed teammates and coaches. In 16 starts this season, he owns a 6-2 record with a 2.63 ERA, 2.54 FIP, 1.07 WHIP and 10.4 strikeouts per nine over 82 innings pitched.
“This is my first year in the big leagues and I’m so glad I can go out there and perform during the postseason,” Yamamoto said.
“I was away from the team because of the injury, so I’d like to contribute.”
Next for Yamamoto is an outing Sunday in the series finale against the Colorado Rockies. He’ll then likely take the mound for a final time during the regular season later in the week at Coors Field.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s rest in MLB postseason
As the Dodgers look ahead to the postseason, they intend to continue giving Yamamoto extra rest between his starts.
“I think a priority is to make sure Yoshi stays on his extra rest,” Roberts recently said. “I don’t see that changing. Even through October. … I hope we’re put in that position where we have too many healthy pitchers.”
Yamamoto is set to be part of a Dodgers postseason rotation that will also include Jack Flaherty and presumably two of Walker Buehler, Bobby Miller and Landon Knack. Tony Gonsolin could enter the picture as well.
Clayton Kershaw faces long odds of pitching again this season but is attempting to return from left big toe inflammation caused by a bone spur.
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