Dodgers hurler with ‘bigger goal’ surprisingly ranked No. 21 rookie in report

The Los Angeles Dodgers have their sights set on a World Series, but they need to work out their pitching rotation in the coming weeks.

New acquisition Jack Flaherty and three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw are expected to hold down the front end of Los Angeles’ staff, but who else will join them? Will Tyler Glasnow be healthy? Will manager Dave Roberts trust rookie Gavin Stone in a pivotal playoff situation? What about Walker Buehler?

Questions aplenty remain for Roberts to mull over.

There’s also rookie stud Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Roberts to consider, as Yamamoto is nearing a return to full health after dealing with a rotator cuff injury that put a damper on his excellent debut season.

On Thursday, Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter released a piece entitled, “Austin Wells, Jackson Chourio and Top 25 MLB Rookies of 2024”, and ranked Yamamoto at No. 21 while commenting on his potential playoff contributions.

“Yamamoto has not pitched since June 15 when he left his start against the Kansas City Royals after just two innings with what turned out to be a rotator cuff strain,” Reuter said. “He began a rehab assignment at Triple-A on Wednesday and will likely make at least one more start before the team considers activating him, but the bigger goal will be getting him ready for the postseason.”

If and when Yamamoto proves that he’s back to normal, the Dodgers just might have a robust and deep pitching staff once again.

More MLB: Dodgers could hire new manager away from National League foe this winter