The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to welcome back Walker Buehler this week and could soon do the same with Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
The right-hander has been sidelined since the middle of June due to a right rotator cuff strain, but is in the midst of a throwing program, which included throwing multiple bullpen sessions over the past week.
“Great. Great. He’s got an another bullpen this week,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts answered when asked how Yamamoto felt after his most recent throwing session.
“It’ll probably be Tuesday, and then he’ll come and meet the team in St Louis, and then he’ll throw a live BP, facing hitters.”
Assuming he has no setbacks, Yamamoto could potentially begin a rehab assignment after facing batters in a simulated game. That could put the 25-year-old on track to rejoin the Dodgers in late August or early September.
Yamamoto would then have roughly one month to build up for the postseason. “Yeah, I think so,” Roberts said when asked if Yamamoto could pitch five or six innings in a start.
“I think that’s also assuming that it all goes great, but the way that Yoshinobu is feeling, I see no reason why we couldn’t.”
Yamamoto had emerged as one of the Dodgers’ most reliable starters before his injury. He owns a 6-2 record with a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 starts this season.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto motivated by missing games
While his return is still up in the air, Yamamoto said his goal is to complete his rehab as soon as possible. He also noted that his desire to pitch for the Dodgers could lead to him being activated earlier than expected.
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