Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto Begins Throwing Program

Yoshinobu Yamamoto was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 16. He exited a game the day before for right tricep tightness, resulting in his first MLB appearance on IL. The Dodgers announced Yamamoto had a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder, leaving him sidelined until further notice.

The injury did not come with a clear timeline for the starting pitcher’s return to the mound. But, according to multiple reports Friday, Yamamoto has begun a throwing progression:

Although any prediction for Yamamoto’s return timeline might be premature, the latest news is a sign pointing toward progress in his recovery. 

Yamamoto’s injury is just one of the many the Dodgers have endured this season, especially among the starting rotation. Over the past month, two other starting pitchers for Los Angeles have gone down with injuries. Tyler Glasnow is healing from lower back tightness. Walker Buehler is recovering from right hip inflammation. 

There is no set return date for any of these three pitchers, leaving a concerning gap in the Dodgers’ rotation. Additionally, Bobby Miller — the Dodgers’ number-3 starter to begin the season — was optioned to Triple-A on Wednesday.

Before his injury, Yamamoto was a frontrunner for the National League Rookie of the Year award. He is tied for the top WAR (2.2) and ranks second in ERA among all MLB rookie pitchers. 

In 14 starts, he is 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA, tallying 84 strikeouts and allowing 17 walks and 62 hits across 74 innings. Yamamoto has an outstanding 1.07 WHIP, 27.9% strikeout rate and 5.6% walk rate, with batters averaging .219 against him.

Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

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