In his first public feedback to reporters since occurring the injured checklist with a rotator cuff pressure, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto instructed reporters (together with ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez) yesterday that he’s been enjoying catch as he works his manner again towards the mound. He described pitching once more this 12 months as his “purpose,” noting that he was attempting to return as quickly as potential. Although Yamamoto didn’t specify a selected timetable for his return, Gonzalez famous that the Dodgers are “hoping” their star rookie will probably be again on the mound for them in late August or early September.
On the time of Yamamoto’s damage, supervisor Dave Roberts steered that it wasn’t anticipated to finish his season, so it’s not essentially a shock that the 25-year-old hurler nonetheless hopes to pitch this 12 months. Even so, any supply of optimism concerning Yamamoto’s standing is unquestionably a welcome one for followers in L.A. given the variety of rotation accidents they’ve suffered in current weeks. Coming into the All-Star break, the membership was counting on a patchwork rotation of veteran southpaw James Paxton and rookies Gavin Stone, Landon Knack, and Justin Wrobleski. Though each Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw are anticipated to be part of the combo later this week, offering the membership with a strong entrance 4 alongside Stone and Paxton, questions will stay in regards to the membership’s missing rotation depth till both Yamamoto or Walker Buehler returns from the injured checklist, barring a commerce within the days main as much as the deadline.
Even setting apart the Dodgers’ present rotation wants, getting Yamamoto again late within the season figures to supply an enormous increase to the membership as they appear forward in the direction of the postseason. In spite of everything, the $325MM righty was typically considered the perfect pitcher accessible this winter regardless of his lack of MLB expertise, and in 14 begins with the Dodgers previous to hitting the shelf he flashed that potential. In his 76 innings of labor this 12 months, Yamamoto sports activities a wonderful 2.92 ERA (137 ERA+) with a good higher 2.68 FIP because of a improbable 27.9% strikeout price in opposition to a measly 5.6% stroll price.
Whereas the membership acquired some optimistic information about Yamamoto this weekend, additionally they had been dealt one thing of an damage scare right now when veteran shortstop Miguel Rojas exited right now’s sport resulting from a bout of tightness in his proper forearm. Luckily, Rojas instructed reporters following the sport (together with The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) that he believes the damage, which he suffered over the All-Star break whereas doing hitting drills, isn’t a very severe one. Roberts echoed that sentiment, noting to reporters (together with Ardaya) that the membership doesn’t at present plan to ship Rojas for an MRI, though he received’t play tomorrow and will in the end be down for a couple of days because of the subject.
The lack of Rojas would’ve been a brutal blow for the Dodgers, a considerably surprisingly actuality contemplating his disappointing 2023 marketing campaign. In 206 journeys to the plate for the membership this 12 months, Rojas has slashed a decent .272/.317/.408 that registers as 6% higher than league common by wRC+. He’s mixed that strong work on the plate with sturdy protection, initially at second base earlier than sliding over to shortstop to take over for Mookie Betts after he went down with a fractured hand final month. Kiké Hernández took over for Rojas at shortstop after he exited tonight and figures to persevering with getting reps on the place in Rojas’s absence, maybe alongside Gavin Lux.
Extra optimistic damage information for Dodgers followers comes out of Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis, the place (as famous by OKC Broadcaster Alex Freedman) right-handers Brusdar Graterol and Michael Grove have each been assigned to start rehab assignments this night. Every right-hander struck out one whereas pitching a single inning of labor tonight, with Grove working round a stroll to provide a scoreless body whereas Graterol allowed successful and an unearned run in his inning of labor. That each righties have reached the very best degree of the minors of their rehab course of is an thrilling improvement for the Dodgers, because it suggests each will quickly be accessible to contribute to a bullpen that has scuffled badly in current days with a 5.51 ERA and 5.23 FIP for the reason that calendar flipped to July.
Graterol hasn’t appeared in a giant league sport this 12 months resulting from shoulder irritation however has been one of many membership’s most trusted relievers in recent times with a sterling 2.08 ERA and a powerful 3.00 FIP in 117 innings of labor for the reason that begin of the 2022 marketing campaign, Grove, in the meantime, pitched to blended outcomes earlier this 12 months earlier than happening with a lat pressure. The righty’s 5.06 ERA left a lot to be desired, however a few of that lackluster run prevention appears to be resulting from unlucky sequencing as demonstrated by his unusually low 62.5% strand price and powerful peripherals, together with a 3.16 FIP, a powerful 28.7% strikeout price, and a improbable 2.94 SIERA. Each hurlers needs to be welcome additions to the membership’s bullpen when able to return, potential someday earlier than the top of the month if their respective rehabs proceed to go effectively.
