Dodgers’ Dave Roberts Provides Big Update on Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s Injury Status

Yoshinobu Yamamoto addressed the media Sunday for the first time since going on the 60-day injured list in mid-July. He is confident he will return to the Los Angeles Dodgers sometime this season.

However, neither Yamamoto nor the Dodgers have a definitive target date for his return.

“I just want to recover as quickly as possible,” Yamamoto said in Japanese, “and direct my rehabilitation in a way to make that happen.”

Yamamoto also said he is pain-free and has extended his flat-ground throwing long toss sessions.

“I’m at the stage where I’m gradually increasing distance and effort,” Yamamoto said. “I feel it’s going extremely well.”

There is still no date when Yamamoto might get back on the mound or begin a minor-league rehab assignment but when he is ready, the Dodgers will welcome him back with open arms. They will need him for the postseason.

“If he were to come back,” manager Dave Roberts said, “he would certainly be an impact guy.”

That’s a big “if” and leaves the Dodgers in limbo with the July 30 trade deadline nine days away. But, Yamamoto said he believes the club’s training staff has a rough idea of his recovery schedule. He didn’t offer any specifics while meeting with reporters Sunday.

The rookie was 6-2 with a rotation-best 2.92 ERA when he went down with a rotator cuff injury. His recovery has been slower than anticipated and he did acknowledge some frustration.

“It’s very upsetting to not be able to pitch in a game,” he said. “I think that by carrying those feelings into my rehabilitation, it will lead to me returning as early as possible.”

As long as the 25-year-old remains optimistic about a return before the end of the season, the Dodgers and their fans should be too.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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