Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to make his much-anticipated return to the mound after more than two months away due to a shoulder injury. Ahead of his upcoming start against the Chicago Cubs, Yamamoto shared his thoughts on his rehabilitation, his preparation, and how he plans to contribute to the team as they push toward October.
When asked on Monday about how excited he is to return, Yamamoto expressed enthusiasm, acknowledging the long gap since his last appearance. “It’s been a long time, so I’m really looking forward to it,” he said. “I want to give it my all.”
During his recovery, Yamamoto focused on ensuring his body was ready for an extended outing. Reflecting on his previous rehab outing, where he pitched only two innings, he explained that while he isn’t sure how long he’ll pitch in his first start back, he’s prepared for the challenge. “I’m not certain how many innings I’ll go, but I’ve made sure I’m ready to pitch in a game,” Yamamoto noted. “I probably won’t be throwing 100 pitches right away, but I’m prepared for tomorrow.”
The Dodgers are also looking at the bigger picture as they head toward the postseason. Yamamoto emphasized that his goal is to contribute one game at a time, with the aim of building up his strength for the crucial October stretch. “Right now, I just want to pitch well in each of my starts this September and gradually improve so that by October, I can be in top form.”
As for his approach on the mound, Yamamoto stressed the importance of throwing strikes, especially after a long layoff. “Throwing strikes is the most fundamental part of pitching, and I want to make sure I’m putting quality pitches in the strike zone,” he explained.
While Yamamoto admitted that it’s unusual for him to go such a long stretch without pitching, he stayed connected with his team, closely watching their success from the sidelines. “Of course, I always wanted to come back as soon as possible. Watching my teammates win game after game made me eager to return,” he said.
Although his pitch count will likely be limited, Yamamoto is focused on delivering an effective and efficient outing, working his way back to full strength for the postseason push. His determination and readiness to contribute come at a critical time as the Dodgers aim to solidify their position in the race for October.
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