While the Los Angeles Dodgers addressed their starting rotation at the trade deadline by acquiring Jack Flaherty, another boost could come if Yoshinobu Yamamoto is able to return from a right rotator cuff strain.
The Dodgers put Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list June 16, which was the day after he was removed from a start due to an initial diagnosis of triceps soreness. A subsequent MRI revealed Yamamoto was dealing with the rotator cuff injury.
He was shut down for multiple weeks before starting a throwing program. There’s been steady progress throughout the recovery and on Friday, the 25-year-old advanced to throwing a bullpen session at Dodger Stadium.
According to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto got through it without issue and throwing both fastballs offspeed pitches:
Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw a 20-pitch bullpen session today, his first since going on the IL with his shoulder injury
Roberts said the team was “excited about his command and velocity”
He threw fastballs, curveballs and splitters
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) August 3, 2024
The next step for Yamamoto would be a second bullpen so long as there is not a setback following Friday’s throwing session. That would then be followed by facing batters in a simulated game before a likely rehab assignment.
Yamamoto went 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 starts before going on the injured list. The Dodgers later transferred Yamamoto to the 60-day IL.
Without him and because of other injuries and inconsistent performances, the Dodgers have needed to rely on a bevy of rookies at various points throughout the year.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto timeline
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 a rehab assignment has not yet been completed, 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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