While the Los Angeles Dodgers to continue to canvas the market for starting pitching help before the MLB trade deadline passes, the biggest impact could come from Yoshinobu Yamamoto returning.
The Dodgers placed Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list June 16 because of a right rotator cuff strain. That came one day after he was removed from a start due to an initial diagnosis of triceps soreness.
Yamamoto was shut down for nearly one month but began a throwing program two weeks ago.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Yamamoto is now poised to advance to throwing his first bullpen session since suffering the shoulder injury:
Dave Roberts said Yoshinobu Yamamoto will throw a bullpen session on Friday, his first time throwing off a mound since going on the IL.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) July 28, 2024
Yamamoto to this point has not experienced any setbacks in his recovery, which is certainly a positive development for a Dodgers team that’s starved for pitching. Even with some of the optimism, manager Dave Roberts has noted there isn’t much of a timeline in place.
The 25-year-old recently said his right shoulder was pain-free and the “goal” remained to pitch again this season.
Yamamoto went 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 starts before landing on the injured list.
The Dodgers signed Yamamoto for 12 years and $325 million, the richest contract for a pitcher in MLB history. Opt-out clauses included in Yamamoto’s contract are contingent on avoiding prolonged stints on the injured list and elbow surgery.
When will Yoshinobu Yamamoto return?
Because of being transferred to the 60-day injured list, the earliest date Yamamoto can return is Thursday, Aug. 15. But given the amount of time missed and that a rehab assignment has not yet started, that date is out of the question.
The more likely scenario is Yamamoto getting activated in late August or early September. That still would leave him with one month to prepare for being a key part of the Dodgers’ postseason rotation.
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