Sports

MLB Notes: Yoshinobu Yamamoto Sidelined with a Shoulder Injury

The Dodgers right-hander threw 100 or more pitches in his four previous MLB starts before exiting a June 15 game against the Royals after the second inning.

Published

3 months ago

June 19, 2024

Ed Odeven

Los Angeles Dodgers hurler Yoshinobu Yamamoto pitches to a Kansas City Royals batter on June 15, 2024, at Dodger Stadium. (KYODO)

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There have been many first-time occurrences for Yoshinobu Yamamoto in his first MLB season.

Add this to the list: The Los Angeles Dodgers starter was placed on the 15-day injured list for the first time in his MLB career due to a strained rotator cuff in his right shoulder on Sunday, June 16. A day earlier, he left the game after pitching two scoreless innings against the visiting Kansas City Royals.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Yamamoto won't be rushed back into action.

"His health is paramount," Roberts said, according to MLB.com. "So for us to be proactive and put him on the IL, kind of reset him, seems like the smartest move."

Through games of June 17, the Dodgers (45-29) sit in first place in the National League West with an 8½-game lead over the San Francisco Giants.

Yamamoto (6-2, 2.92 ERA) is one of four Dodgers starters with six or more victories: The others: James Paxton (7-1), Gavin Stone (7-2) and Tyler Glasnow (7-5).

A former Orix Buffaloes ace, Yamamoto threw 100 or more pitches in his four previous starts before exiting early against the Royals. An MRI revealed inflammation in his right shoulder, according to published reports.

Speaking through an interpreter on Saturday after his departure from the game, Yamamoto said: "During the game, my triceps started tightening up, so I let the coaches know." He also told reporters he "felt tightness" during his pregame pitching session in the bullpen. But, he continued, "it was not that serious at that point."

The Dodgers are Built for Success in MLB

By all accounts, the Dodgers have one of MLB's best starting rotations.

Adding the 25-year-old Yamamoto to the roster on a blockbuster 12-year contract ($325 million USD, or ¥51.4 billion JPY) this past offseason, the Dodgers further upgraded their talented pitching corps.

Roberts told reporters that the team is taking a wait-and-see approach on Yamamoto's condition.

"We will know more details as they become available," Roberts said, according to NHK. "But I don't think it is anything that will lead to a serious injury."

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Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.