Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto: 'Goal' is to Return from Injury During 2024 MLB Season

After missing more than a month of action due to a strained rotator cuff, Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is hopeful he can be back on the mound before the end of the season.

"That's my goal," Yamamoto said, per ESPN's Alden González. "… I'm trying to come back as soon as I can."

González noted that Yamamoto has been playing catch while steadily increasing the distance and intensity.

Yamamoto, who is in his first year in the majors after leaving Japan and signing a historic 12-year, $325 million deal, has made 14 appearances, throwing 84 strikeouts with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP.

The Dodgers exercised caution with his injury, designating him to the injury list with hopes that he will be available for the postseason.

"He's a guy that we're still trying to learn a lot about, and appreciate the fact that the most important time of the season is yet to come," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in June. "His health is paramount. So for us to be proactive and put him on the IL seems like the smartest thing."

Assuming he stays on a path that would allow him to return by August or September, Yamamoto could step in for Los Angeles with enough time to get back into rhythm before the postseason.

The Dodgers recently gained back a critical member of their rotation in Clayton Kershaw, who is set to make his first appearance of the season for Los Angeles this week. Kershaw had surgery on his left shoulder in November and has been working his way back to the mound since.

The Dodgers will also get starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow back for this week's series against the San Francisco Giants after he missed the past few weeks due to back tightness.

Kershaw and Glasnow's returns come as Los Angeles sits at the top of the NL West at 58-41.