The Los Angeles Dodgers’ pitching staff has faced a difficult road this season, dealing with an excess of injuries to both their starters and relief core.
Their front-end starters have spent time on the injured list, including Tyler Glasnow and most notably, Yoshinobu Yamamoto. In addition, they have been without Brusdar Graterol, Ryan Brasier, Michael Grove, Emmet Sheehan, Clayton Kershaw, Walker Buehler and Dustin May for either the entire season, or stretches of time.
Glasnow is set to return to the Dodgers on Wednesday, giving them a key piece back in the mix.
Kershaw also completed what could be his final rehab start, and they also have some other positive news on a group of pitchers.
Dodgers pitchers injury updates
Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The 25-year-old was on track to being an anchor in their starting rotation prior to going down with what was initially a bout with right tricep tightness.
Tests later revealed that Yamamoto strained his right rotator cuff, but didn’t require surgery. He’s now to a point that he’s tossing a baseball at a solid distance, but hasn’t yet stepped on a mound.
“Yamamoto is stretching it out a little bit more beyond 100 feet,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “I think close to 125, something like that, 130. But until he gets off a mound, we really don’t know a whole lot.”
Roberts detailed that Yamamoto is pushing it with his distance on throwing, still avoiding a set timeline of when the Dodgers would green-light him. As far as the frequency of his catch play, that’s also unclear.
“I don’t know that answer,” Roberts added. “The report I got is he was up to 135 (feet), so I don’t know if that’s every day or every other day. I’m not sure.”
A key piece is the lack of pain in Yamamoto’s shoulder, which points a possible road back to the mound this season. Roberts noted that he spoke with his right-hander prior to Friday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
“I saw him briefly today,” Roberts said. “Said hello, pleasantries, and from talking to the training staff, there’s no pain. And so now he’s just trying to strengthen his arm by playing long toss.”
Since Yamamoto went down, Dodgers starting pitchers have amassed a 5.52 ERA in 26 games, the second-worst mark in the National League. Their aggressiveness at this year’s trade deadline is real, and shouldn’t be taken lightly.
Brusdar Graterol
Also in the mix is Brusdar Graterol, who is slated to make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Oklahoma City this weekend.
“Correct,” Roberts said. “And I think it’s Sunday, I think that’s when he’s supposed to pitch.”
Graterol has been a key piece to the Dodgers’ pen in recent years, posting a 1.20 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and a 3.03 FIP in 67.1 innings during his 2023 campaign.
“Having Graterol now being summoned out to start his rehab, is a good thing for us.”
Walker Buehler
A subtle word on Walker Buehler was given out by Roberts, and without much to alarm the Dodgers on his health. His work away from the team will be on display in the coming week when he returns to the team facility.
“Walker is throwing a live session in his hometown in Kentucky, today or tomorrow,” Roberts said. “He’s going to be back here in town Tuesday. So we’ll know more, we’ll put eyes on him on Tuesday.”
Michael Grove & Ryan Brasier making progress
While Graterol seems the closest to returning of their injured relievers, another pair of their arms are also making their way back as well.
“Michael Grove will be right behind him, and Brasier will be right behind him,” Roberts said.
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