Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Lacks clear timeline for return
Rotowire
Yamamoto (tricep) said Sunday that he's been playing catch out to 200 feet, but he has yet to receive clearance for mound work and admitted that he's without a clear timeline to return from the 60-day injured list, MLB.com reports.
Yamamoto is eligible to come off the IL on Aug. 15, but the Dodgers don't seem to be counting on him returning at that time, with Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com instead suggesting that the team is "holding out hope" for him to resume pitching in the big leagues in late August or early September. The Dodgers will get two key members of the rotation in Tyler Glasnow (back) and Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) back from the IL this week, and the club is seemingly banking on those additions being enough to stabilize the pitching staff until Yamamoto eventually returns to the mix. After signing Yamamoto to a lavish deal this past winter, the Dodgers are cognizant of prioritizing his long-term health and ensuring that he's in optimal health by the time the playoffs begin in October. Yamamoto still appears on pace to return before the end of the regular season, but if absence extends into September, fantasy managers in redraft leagues with limited or no IL spots might not be able to justify holding him.
The Dodgers transferred Yamamoto (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Saturday, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Yamamoto won't be eligible for activation until Aug. 15, but considering he just started playing catch from 60 feet this week, he likely wouldn't have been ready to return before mid-August anyway. The transaction clears room on the 40-man roster for right-hander Brent Honeywell, who was claimed off waivers from Pittsburgh on Saturday. Yamamoto has been shelved since June 16 and will likely require multiple minor-league rehab starts before being reinstated from the IL.
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Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Starts playing catch
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Yamamoto (shoulder) played catch from 60 feet twice this week, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
It's an encouraging step for the right-hander, who had been shut down from throwing since he landed on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain in mid-June. Yamamoto will need to build his arm strength up before he returns to throwing off a mound. He's likely not particularly close to a return, as he'll need multiple rehab starts before rejoining the Dodgers.
Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: To play catch next week
Rotowire
Yamamoto (shoulder) will begin playing catch next week, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Yamamoto has been shut down from throwing since being diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain June 16, but he will resume a throwing program in the coming days. The 25-year-old is no longer feeling pain in his shoulder and seems to be on track for an August return.
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Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Nearing throwing program
Rotowire
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Thursday that Yamamoto (shoulder) has been working with a plyo ball and could resume throwing soon, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Yamamoto has made progress in his rehab and was described as pain-free Wednesday. Assuming that remains the case, he's expected to start playing catch again before the All-Star break, likely meaning he won't return before August.
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Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: Described as pain-free
Rotowire
Yamamoto is no longer feeling pain in his right shoulder, but he hasn't yet started throwing, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Yamamoto was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain two days after being able to complete only two innings in his most recent start June 15. While the rookie right-hander is now pain-free, he isn't yet throwing, and manager Dave Roberts indicated that there's no clear timeframe for when the hurler will pick up a ball again. The organization figures to be cautious with Yamamoto, and he almost certainly won't return to action until after the All-Star break.
