LOS ANGELES — Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto is hopeful of returning this season, even though there isn’t a timeline on when that might happen.
“I’m trying to come back as soon as I can,” Yamamoto said through an interpreter before Sunday’s game against the Boston Red Sox.
Yamamoto was transferred to the 60-day injured list last week, meaning he can’t return until mid-August at the earliest.
The pregame comments were the first time Yamamoto has met with the media since he went on the IL on June 16 with a strained rotator cuff. The injury was initially described as triceps tightness before the strain was diagnosed.
The 25-year-old Yamamoto is in his first year in the majors after departing his native Japan and signing a record $325 million, 12-year contract.
Yamamoto said he isn’t feeling any pain or discomfort in his shoulder. He will play catch on Monday and stretch it out close to 200 feet. If that goes well, manager Dave Roberts is hopeful Yamamoto could resume his throwing program.
“I don’t have a timeline on when he’s going to throw a pen. I watched him from afar yesterday, and the arm stroke was good,” Roberts said.
Yamamoto was 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA before being injured. The right-hander threw two-hit ball over seven innings at the New York Yankees on June 7. He tossed 106 pitches, the fourth straight time he had thrown more than 100.
“There is some frustration. But the fact is, I just need to keep focusing on rehab and then get myself ready to get back,” Yamamoto said. “I have to keep working with the trainers and just do my preparation based on what they say.”
The Dodgers’ rotation has been short-handed for the past month without Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow (back tightness) and Walker Buehler (right hip inflammation).
Glasnow is expected to come off the IL on Wednesday and face the San Francisco Giants. Three-time NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is scheduled to make his first start of the season Thursday in the series finale after working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher, Kenta Yamamoto, remains optimistic about rejoining the team’s rotation despite facing uncertainty about his timeline for return. The Japanese right-hander has been sidelined with a shoulder injury since early August, and while the initial prognosis was promising, his recovery has been slower than expected.
Yamamoto, who signed a three-year, $36 million contract with the Dodgers in the offseason, was expected to be a key contributor to the team’s starting rotation. However, his injury has forced him to miss significant time, and there is still no clear timeline for when he will be able to return to action.
Despite the setbacks, Yamamoto remains upbeat about his chances of returning to the mound this season. In a recent interview, he expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back from the injury and contribute to the team’s playoff push.
“I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field as soon as possible,” Yamamoto said. “I know it’s been a tough road, but I believe in myself and my teammates. I’m staying positive and focused on my recovery.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has also expressed optimism about Yamamoto’s progress, noting that the pitcher has been working diligently with the team’s medical staff to rehab his shoulder.
“We’re encouraged by Kenta’s progress and his determination to get back on the mound,” Roberts said. “He’s a valuable member of our team, and we’re looking forward to having him back in the rotation.”
While the timeline for Yamamoto’s return remains uncertain, both he and the Dodgers are hopeful that he will be able to rejoin the team in time for the postseason. In the meantime, Yamamoto will continue to work hard and stay positive as he aims to make a successful comeback from his injury.