Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto leaves start vs. Royals due to triceps tightness

yamamoto_yoshinobu1280

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto left his start Saturday night against Kansas City after two innings due to triceps tightness.

The Japanese right-hander had his scheduled start on Thursday against Texas pushed back for extra rest. He threw two-hit ball in seven innings at the New York Yankees on June 7. Yamamoto tossed 106 pitches in that game and had thrown over 100 in four consecutive starts until Saturday night.

Yamamoto threw only 14 strikes on 28 pitches against the Royals. He allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout.

This is Yamamoto’s first year in the majors after he signed a record $325 million, 12-year contract with the Dodgers in December. He is 6-2 with a 2.92 ERA.

Michael Grove replaced Yamamoto in the third inning.

Yamamoto said through his interpreter that he let the coaches know during the game and they decided to pull him.

“After that second inning, he just felt that he could go out there, but it just wasn’t coming out and his triceps was tight, and so that’s when we pulled the plug,” manager Dave Roberts said.

As for the rest of the game, MJ Melendez hit a grand slam to conclude a 12-pitch at-bat, Seth Lugo became the AL’s first 10-game winner and the Royals beat the Dodgers 7-2.

According to Baseball Reference, it is only the second time since 1970 there has been a grand slam on a full count with at least 12 pitches in the at-bat. In 2018, Mookie Betts cleared the bases for Boston on the 13th pitch against Toronto’s J.A. Happ.