Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
Yoshinobu Yamamoto made a second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City but fell short of completing the targeted three innings.
Yamamoto threw 53 pitches over two innings and allowed two runs. The bulk of his trouble came in the first inning, as the right-hander managed to strand a leadoff walk in the second.
“With the results it doesn’t look good. However, there were good pitches and as a rehab assignment, I think I did all I could do,” Yamamoto said through interpreter Yoshihiro Sonoda.
Heading into the outing, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested Yamamoto’s next start would be at the Major League level. But there’s now some uncertainty considering he did not stretch out as anticipated.
Yamamoto achieved the goal of throwing two innings and one in the bullpen in his first rehab start for Oklahoma City Baseball Club last week.
“I’m going to talk to the coaches and we’ll see what will be my next step,” Yamamoto said.
If the 26-year-old requires a third start with Oklahoma City or pitches for another Dodgers Minor League affiliate, it would delay his return from the 60-day injured list until the third week of September.
The Dodgers have been without Yamamoto since he went on 15-day IL June 16 due to an official designation of right triceps tightness. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has indicated the more specific nature of Yamamoto’s injury was a rotator cuff strain.
He was shut down from throwing for nearly one month but advanced through the recovery process without any setbacks since starting to play catch in the middle of July.
The Dodgers anticipated a lengthy road ahead and transferred Yamamoto to the 60-day IL, which made Aug. 15 the earliest date he was eligible to be activated.
Yamamoto is 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 14 starts this season.
Dodgers need Yoshinobu Yamamoto
The Dodgers find themselves in a difficult position as their rotation certainly could use Yamamoto returning, but not being stretched out would put further strain on the bullpen.
That balancing act figures to factor into the Dodgers’ decision of Yamamoto’s next step.
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