The Los Angeles Dodgers removed Yoshinobu Yamamoto after six innings of strong pitching on Monday, a choice that raised questions given his dominant performance. The Japanese ace had allowed just two earned runs while striking out seven, continuing the exceptional form that has marked his season so far. The decision to pull Yamamoto was influenced by concerns over a possible hip injury he sustained while covering first base, according to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Details Behind the Dodgers’ Unexpected Move to Remove Yamamoto
Yamamoto has emerged as one of the most impressive starters in Major League Baseball this year, boasting a 1.97 ERA and tallying 75 strikeouts across 64 innings. Despite his outstanding stats and apparent control on the mound, Roberts cited a mechanical disruption that may have begun during the fifth and sixth innings. The concern grew after Yamamoto’s effort to cover first base, which seems to have aggravated a potential hip issue. Roberts chose not to push Yamamoto to the limit, especially since the pitcher threw 110 pitches during his previous outing.
“I don’t know if that kind of got into the mechanics in that fifth and sixth inning,”
Roberts said via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group.
“It just didn’t seem as fine. And then for me, I just felt that we pushed him a lot his last outing (110 pitches), so to kind of not push him to the fullest tonight made sense as he gears up for (his next start) Sunday (against the Yankees).”
—Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
Importance of Preserving Yamamoto’s Health for the Dodgers’ Rotation
With the Dodgers already strained by multiple injuries, maintaining Yamamoto’s health is critical. As the rotation’s strongest pitcher, allowing him to suffer any setback could be detrimental to the team’s overall success. The Dodgers opted to err on the side of caution, prioritizing a short-term rest over risking a more serious injury to their top starter.
While this development introduces an element of uncertainty, the hope remains that Yamamoto’s potential hip issue will be minor and that he will be able to start against the New York Yankees as planned. Keeping their best pitcher healthy is essential for the Dodgers as they navigate a demanding stretch of the season.