Dodgers News: Dave Roberts Provides an Update on Yency Almonte’s Potential Return

The Boys in Blue will be welcoming a returning face in Yency Almonte very soon. After a lingering elbow issue from last season that made him miss 46 games continued to bother him, Almonte was brought on slowly this Spring Training.

The Athletic‘s Fabian Ardaya reported this update on the 28-year-old following a media scrum with Dave Roberts.

“Almonte hasn’t appeared in a Cactus League game but faced hitters Wednesday for the second time and still is on track to be ready for Opening Day despite his slower progress,” wrote Ardaya.

In 2022, Almonte started the season in the minor leagues but was quickly called up to help strengthen LA’s bullpen. He thrived there when healthy and recorded a 1.02 ERA with a 0.79 WHIP in about 33 games for the team.

Almonte continued to shine when the pressure was on in the postseason. A struggling Dodgers team looking for life in last season’s NLDS inserted Almonte back into their bullpen and he performed above all expectations. The RHP struck out all five of the hitters that stepped up to the plate against him in his first three games of that series. Unfortunately, LA went on to lose that series to the San Diego Padres but Almonte was able to showcase to the front office what he brings to the table.

Spring Training hasn’t been the kindest to our Dodgers this year — most notably the tragic news of Gavin Lux — but seeing someone like Almonte progress towards being ready for the season is a welcoming sign for fans. Pitching rotations are always up in the air due to performances and health so Almonte could very well see a lot more innings this season if he continues his improved play.

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