Dodgers Injury Update: Worrisome Yoshinobu Yamamoto timeline, Clayton Kershaw, Graterol

The Dodgers rotation is in some dire straits. LA has seven starters on the IL, the vast majority on the 60-day, and three went down in a matter of weeks. Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto were all initially moved to the 15-day with various issues, but now Yamamoto is the latest to be transferred again.

This weekend, ahead of their last game against the Tigers, the Dodgers claimed reliever Brent Honeywell off waivers, optioned Ricky Vanasco, and moved Yamamoto to the 60-day IL.

This means the earliest Yamamoto will be eligible for return in Aug. 16, but with the way his triceps tightness seemed to be trending, it looked like he wouldn't have come back before then from the 15-day IL anyway.

Dave Roberts referred to the move as "paperwork" in order to accommodate Honeywell, and Yamamoto has begun a throwing progression that's included playing catch at 60 feet. So, while this move isn't altogether surprising, it does remind fans exactly how much this rotation has been limping over the past few weeks.

Dodgers injury updates: Yoshinobu Yamamoto moved to 60-day IL, Clayton Kershaw close to return, Brusdar Graterol rehab assignment

In better news, Clayton Kershaw made his first rehab start in Triple-A on Saturday, after hitting thefirst wrinkle in his rehab with some shoulder soreness. He pitched three innings for OKC and gave up no hits, one walk, and struck out five batters. He's scheduled to make another start on Friday, but if all goes well, he could be activated and presumably slot into the rotation when the Dodgers take on the Giants at home on Monday, July 22.

The Dodgers are sure to start him off slowly when he does get back to the majors, but it'll be a much-needed breath of fresh air for the depleted rotation, and a mid-to-late July return is still better than the early August projection we got at the beginning of the season.

Brusdar Graterol is also making some good progress, and per Dave Roberts isnearing a rehab assignment, which could put him back in the bullpen by the end of July. Graterol only pitched one inning in spring training before starting the season on the 60-day IL with shoulder soreness.

The Dodgers bullpen is in better shape than it was in April and May, but Graterol's return could deprioritize the need to find more relievers at the trade deadline. It'd also just take one more name off of the IL, which is good optics for a team that currently has 15 players on its Injured List.