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Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto Leaves Start With Triceps Tightness
In the midst of a crucial interleague series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals, the Dodgers received some bad news Saturday evening.
Los Angeles pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto exited Saturday's game after pitching just two innings of what at the time was a 0–0 contest. The Dodgers attributed Yamamoto's exit to triceps tightness.
In the two innings he pitched, Yamamoto allowed a hit, walked a batter and struck out a batter.
The rookie entered the contest 6–2 with a 3.00 ERA and 83 strikeouts in just 72 innings. As Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation pointed out, Yamamoto's average velocity was down slightly Saturday.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto left tonight’s game with triceps tightness.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2024
Yoshinobu Yamamoto leaves the game early after going just two innings. His fastball velocity was down 1.4 mph. Yoshi isn't out in the Dodgers dugout. Hopefully it's something minor, but anytime your $325 Million pitcher leaves a game early it's very concerning.
— Doug McKain (@DMAC_LA) June 16, 2024
On Dec. 27, Los Angeles stunned the baseball world by signing Yamamoto to a 12-year, $325 million contract. The pact followed a superb career in Nippon Professional Baseball that saw Yamamoto win three Pacific League MVP awards.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged that Yamamoto would probably go on the injured list.
#Dodgers MGR Dave Roberts said there is a "high probability" that RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto will be placed on the 15-day IL. Team will make decision after Yamamoto is examined by doctors on Sunday.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) June 16, 2024
The Dodgers currently sit in first place in the NL West, 7 and 1/2 games clear of the second-place San Diego Padres.
Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .