The Los Angeles Dodgers are going to be without Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone and Clayton Kershaw when they begin the National League Division Series, but received a key boost when Yoshinobu Yamamoto returned earlier this month after being out since the middle of June.
Yamamoto was placed on the 15-day injured list June 16 due to a designation of right triceps tightness. However, manager Dave Roberts and Yamamoto both deemed the injury more of a strained rotator cuff.
He navigated a lengthy recovery process that included making two rehab starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Yamamoto threw two innings in both outings, but failed to stretch out beyond that.
Yamamoto’s return came at a time when the Dodgers rotation was in dire need. However, the team was still committed to prioritizing his long-term health, via Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic:
“You want to do what’s best for Yoshinobu and make sure he’s healthy now and also in the long term,” Roberts said. “That’s the priority. Whatever you make of that, you make of it. So just getting him to health and putting the other stuff to the side.”
Yamamoto has made three starts since coming off the 60-day injured list. He’s scheduled to take the mound Saturday for a final tuneup in the regular season.
The outing is Yamamoto’s second consecutive time facing the Colorado Rockies. The right-hander labored against them last week, managing to get through just three innings because of ineffectiveness and a high pitch count.
While maintaining health is the most important aspect of Yamamoto’s start at Coors Field, it would be beneficial if he can reach upwards of five innings to help further strengthen his base heading into the NL Division Series.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Dodgers’ NLDS rotation
Roberts revealed the Dodgers plan to have Jack Flaherty, Walker Buehler, Landon Knack and Yamamoto in their starting rotation for the NLDS, with the order not yet finalized.
Assuming health, Yamamoto was a lock to start for the Dodgers in October. The only question left to be answered is which NLDS game Yamamoto will make his postseason debut in.
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