Impressive Previous Outing
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ Japanese ace, delivered a stellar performance against the Yankees in his previous start, pitching seven scoreless innings with seven strikeouts and allowing only two hits. Despite not earning the win, it was his standout performance of the season.
Extended Rest
Due to his high pitch count of 106, a career-high, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts decided to give Yamamoto seven days of rest before his next start. This decision aimed to ensure he was fully recovered and ready for his subsequent outing.
Early Exit Against Royals
However, in today’s game against the Royals, Yamamoto experienced a noticeable drop in velocity. His fastball averaged only 94.2 mph, with a maximum of 95.9 mph. After completing two innings, he left the game due to tightness in his right triceps, finishing with one strikeout, one walk, and one hit allowed.
Shoulder Discomfort Noted
Post-game, Yamamoto revealed that he had felt some soreness in his right shoulder over the past week. Despite experiencing tightness during warm-ups, he decided to pitch as the discomfort seemed to be improving. Unfortunately, as his pitch count increased, the tightness worsened, leading him to request a pitching change.
Dodgers’ Precautionary Measures
Although Yamamoto believes the issue is minor, the Dodgers plan to conduct a thorough examination tomorrow, which may include an MRI, to assess the need for further treatment. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that placing Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list is a possibility.
Awaiting Further Evaluation
The team and fans alike await the results of Yamamoto’s evaluation, hoping for a quick recovery and his return to the mound. His presence is crucial for the Dodgers’ pitching rotation, especially as they push towards the postseason. (Free100)