Yamamoto goes down with injury; Dugger to make next start

On Wednesday, the Marlins announced that Jordan Yamamoto would be placed on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain. Robert Dugger will take his spot in the rotation for at least Thursday’s start versus Alex Wood and the Reds.

Yamamoto has pitched 133 ²⁄₃ innings this season between Double-A and the major leagues. That is one inning shy of his career high, which he set in 2016 with the Milwaukee Brewers Class-A affiliate.

Yamamoto’s rookie season has definitely had its ups and downs. Posting a 1.59 ERA through his first 34 innings (six starts), he’s shown flashes of being a quality major league starter. In the seven starts since, however, Yamamoto has struggled mightily. An 8.13 ERA—mostly due to having allowed a whopping 11 HRs—highlights that he is still a work in progress.

Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

Speaking to the media following the announcement, Yamamoto didn’t hide his frustration. The 23-year-old understands he still has a lot to prove considering the wave of pitching talent coming up behind him in the Marlins farm system, and this injury temporarily prevents him from doing so.

Manager Don Mattingly would not rule out a return for Yamamoto in September, though that would depend on when the medical staff clears him to resume throwing.

Dugger gave up six runs in his debut on August 5 versus the Mets. He initially took his lumps in the launching pad known as the Pacific Coast League, but posted a 2.77 ERA in his last two Triple-A starts. He will be looking to keep that momentum as he gets a second try at the big leagues.

Dugger is the 24th-ranked prospect in the Marlins organization, according to MLB Pipeline.

Thank you for reading, until next time.