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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.
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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.
.@jyamaz50 talks about what he's feeling after hitting the IL.#JuntosMiami #MLB pic.twitter.com/PdHwguz3if
— FOX Sports Florida & Sun (@FOXSportsFL) August 28, 2019
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.