Dodgers put Yoshinobu Yamamoto on IL with triceps injury shortly after signing $325M deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers made the decision to place rookie starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the 15-day injured list following his early exit in a game against the Kansas City Royals due to triceps tightness. This marks the first time in Yamamoto’s Major League Baseball career that he has been sidelined due to an injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that Yamamoto will undergo further testing to determine the extent of the injury and how to move forward in terms of his recovery.

Yamamoto left the game on Saturday after pitching two innings during the Dodgers’ loss to the Royals. He signaled to the coaching staff about the triceps tightness, leading to the decision to remove him from the game as a precaution. Despite throwing over 100 pitches in each of his previous four starts, Yamamoto was looking to face the Texas Rangers on Thursday before being moved to Saturday for additional rest. Unfortunately, he was only able to pitch 28 pitches in Saturday’s game before leaving due to the injury.

As one of the most accomplished pitchers in Japanese baseball history, Yamamoto joined the Dodgers this season on a record-breaking 12-year, $325 million contract. In his 14 starts with the team, he has shown great promise with a 2.92 ERA, 1.068 WHIP, 84 strikeouts, and 17 walks in 74 innings pitched. Despite his absence, the Dodgers remain in a strong position in the NL West with a seven-game lead over the second-place San Diego Padres.

The Dodgers are also preparing for the return of right-handed pitcher Bobby Miller from the injured list to face the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday. Meanwhile, veteran Clayton Kershaw is set to start a rehab assignment with Single-A Rancho Cucamonga as he works his way back from offseason shoulder surgery that has kept him out of play this season.