The Los Angeles Dodgers recently made a tough decision to place rookie pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list due to a strained rotator cuff. The injury will keep him out of action indefinitely, adding to the uncertainty of when he will return to the mound.
The team did not provide a specific timeline for Yamamoto’s return, leaving many fans wondering when he will be back on the field. However, it is important to note that his injury is not expected to end his season entirely.
Yamamoto’s injury occurred during Saturday’s game against the Kansas City Royals while pitching two innings. Despite pitching over 100 pitches in his last four starts, he was exceptional for the Dodgers, boasting a 2.92 ERA and 1.068 WHIP in 74 innings with 84 strikeouts and 17 walks.
As one of the most successful pitchers in Japanese baseball history, Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers this offseason at just 25 years old with a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract. Despite this setback, the Dodgers are still leading the NL West with a seven-game gap over the San Diego Padres as they navigate injuries and lineup changes.
Bobby Miller is set to return from the injured list to pitch against the Colorado Rockies, while Clayton Kershaw plans to start a rehab assignment after being sidelined all season following offseason shoulder surgery.