Featured Columnist IVAugust 22, 2024
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Yoshinobu Yamamoto still plans on helping the Los Angeles Dodgers pursue a World Series title this year.
The right-hander, who hasn’t appeared in a game since June 15 because of right triceps tightness, pitched two innings in a simulated game Wednesday and said through an interpreter, “the feeling was pretty good. Everything is starting to come all together,” per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).
Manager Dave Roberts explained the next step is to throw three innings in the upcoming five days ahead of a rehab assignment and potential return in September.
“It’s one thing at a time,” Yamamoto said. “I’m going to throw some games in September and then let’s see.”
Yamamoto was one of the Dodgers’ marquee additions this past offseason alongside Shohei Ohtani. He signed a 12-year, $325 million deal and was expected to help anchor the team’s starting rotation.
That is exactly what he did in 14 starts before going on the injured list.
The right-hander posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 74 innings and wasted little time adjusting to major league competition during his first season competing in the United States.
His setback was one of many for the Dodgers’ pitching rotation, as the AP noted River Ryan, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt all required Tommy John surgery, while Dustin May is out for the rest of the campaign because of flexor tendon and esophageal surgery.
What’s more, Tyler Glasnow is on the 15-day injured list because of right elbow tendinitis.
That makes Yamamoto’s potential return ahead of the playoffs all the more important for the Dodgers, and he seemed to be on track during Wednesday’s outing.
“The ball was coming out of his hand with a lot of life,” Roberts said. “It seems like he’s healthy. As long as he recovers well, then we start homing in on the command and all that other stuff.”
Los Angeles sits atop the National League West and is 3.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. Neither challenger has faded in the division race, so the Dodgers can use the reinforcements in the pitching rotation.
And then they could use Yamamoto’s right arm in critical playoff situations as well.
