Yoshinobu Yamamoto

In his first public comments to reporters since going on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain, right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto told reporters (including ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez) yesterday that he’s been playing catch as he works his way back toward the mound. He described pitching again this year as his “goal,” noting that he was…

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 said Sunday that there has been no pain in his shoulder while throwing and that he would like to return this season.

With Tyler Glasnow and Clayton Kershaw set to return to the Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation, the focus has now shifted to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, whose comeback date remains uncertain after missing five weeks since been diagnosed with a strained rotator cuff.

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto believes he can return this season after sustaining a strained rotator cuff in his shoulder in mid-June."That's my goal. I'm trying to come back as soon as I can," Yamamoto said Sunday, according to Alden Gonz lez of ESPN.The 25-year-old added that he's been playing catch and increasing the distance and intensity during his throwing.The Dodgers are hoping Yamamoto can pitch again in the majors by late August or early September."He'll play catch tomorrow," manager Dave Roberts said, according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. "He's stretching out close to 200 feet. No timeline for when he's going to throw a bullpen, but he's pain-free right now. I assume Monday he starts picking his throwing program back up."Yamamoto owns a 3.00 ERA with 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 over 74 innings (14 starts) during his rookie year. He signed a 12-year, $325-million contract in the offseason.Copyright © 2024 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.