Yoshinobu Yamamoto is taking another forward in his rehab and remains on track for a mid-September return, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday.
“I think so,” Roberts said when asked if that expectation was fair. “Yeah, if it’s the three innings, and then he goes out and does three or four innings on rehab, and then we’ll be able to make a decision.
“So I think that’s kind of fair, which I feel given what’s happened, is a good amount of time.”
The right-hander threw two simulated innings on Wednesday in a simulated game. He will increase to three innings in his next sim game, and then go on a rehab assignment.
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When Roberts provided the previous update, it was revealed that Yamamoto threw 17 pitches in a live bullpen session Aug. 10 before the Dodgers opened their series against the St. Louis Cardinals.
“Dave Roberts said they cut it off there due to the heat,” Fabian Ardaya posted on X (formerly Twitter). Yamamoto said he continues to feel good. At least two more live sessions scheduled before potential rehab.”
Yamamoto hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since June 15 due to a strained rotator cuff. The issue first arose following a career-high 106-pitch start against the Yankees on June 7. He received two extra days off in hopes that he would recover but that wasn’t the case. He felt something again while facing the Royals on June 15 and ended up exiting after just two innings.
An MRI revealed no tear.
When the right-handed pitcher landed on the injured list, he was 6-2 with a rotation-best 2.92 earned run average. He has been determined to make a full recovery and help the Dodgers down the stretch and into the postseason.
“It’s very upsetting to not be able to pitch in a game,” Yamamoto told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times in July. “I think that by carrying those feelings into my rehabilitation, it will lead to me returning as early as possible.”
Yamamoto was one of the biggest offseason signings in Major League Baseball. Before he ever threw an MLB pitch, the Dodgers locked him into a 12-year, $325 million deal.
Before moving to Southern California, Yamamoto pitched for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball. In parts of seven seasons, Yamamoto had a record of 70-29 with a 1.82 ERA and struck out 922 batters.
During those seven seasons, Yamamoto was a five-time NPB All-Star, a three-time Pacific League MVP, and won the 2022 Japan Series Championship. He is also the only player in NPB history to throw two no-hitters.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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