Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been making significant progress as he works toward a return to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Yamamoto first suffered triceps tightness that was later determined to b a strained rotator cuff. His final outing came on June 15, and he has been sidelined since then.
The right-hander has recently been pitching to hitters and throwing bullpen sessions, and while in St. Louis, he faced hitters in a short outing.
Yamamoto was back in the bullpen on Tuesday, but it was another short day of throwing for him. However, that was planned as he is set to throw another simulated game on Wednesday.
“It was a touch and feel,” Roberts said. “He was off the mound a little bit, but he’s going to throw a live.”
Roberts added Yamamoto is expected to pitch two innings on Wednesday, and he’ll follow that up with three innings during his next simulated game.
After he completes those, Yamamoto will begin a rehab assignment. It has not been determined which level he will report to, or when that will exactly begin.
Regardless, it’s a notable step for Yamamoto and the Dodgers as they need him in the rotation if they hope to make a deep October run.
Yamamoto went 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA, 2.68 FIP and 1.07 WHIP with 84 strikeouts in 14 starts before going on the injured list. The Dodgers then transferred him to the 60-day IL, which made Aug. 15 the earliest he can be activated.
Yamamoto is currently one of many pitchers the Dodgers have on the injured list, including Tyler Glasnow, Brusdar Graterol, Kyle Hurt, Dustin May, Tony Gonsolin, River Ryan and Emmet Sheehan.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto motivated to return
Yamamoto is focused on completing his rehab assignment as quickly as possible, and he hopes that his desire to pitch again could lead him to complete his rehab as soon as possible.
Yamamoto’s timeline for a return is likely some time in September, which would give him a few starts before the playoffs begin.
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