The Los Angeles Dodgers rotation has welcomed back Clayton Kershaw and Walker Buehler in recent weeks, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to soon join them as he continues to make progress with the recovery from a right rotator cuff strain.
After being shut down for multiple weeks upon going on the 15-day injured list, Yamamoto began a throwing program that has advanced to multiple bullpen sessions of late. The most recent of which came Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts described that as going well and the next step for Yamamoto is to join the team on their road trip to face batters at Busch Stadium, via SportsNet LA:
“Yamamoto threw a 40-, 41-pitch bullpen, and did an up-down, which is great. Hopefully a simulated game will be next for him. Things are trending (up) for a lot of our guys. … He’s expected to throw that sim game for us on Friday.”
Yamamoto 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.
Despite the delicate nature of a rotator cuff injury, Yamamoto and the Dodgers have been gaining confidence he would pitch again this season.
His expected return is all the more key as Buehler remains a question mark and River Ryan was lost to Tommy John surgery. Should Yamamoto not only overcome his shoulder injury but pitch well, it would give the Dodgers a formidable trio of starters along with Tyler Glasnow and Jack Flaherty.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s progress
Assuming Yamamoto gets through the simulated game without issue, the next step could be to face batters a second time or begin a rehab assignment.
That could put the 25-year-old on track to return to the Dodgers rotation in late August or early September.
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