Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto Will Return from Triceps Injury vs. Cubs on Tuesday

The Los Angeles Dodgers will receive an important boost to their pitching rotation for the stretch run.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Wednesday that the plan is for Yoshinobu Yamamoto to return for Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs, per ESPN's Alden González. Yamamoto hasn't pitched in a game since June 15 because of a triceps injury.

Don't expect the right-hander to work deep into the game.

As Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors pointed out, he didn't pitch more than two innings in either of his rehab starts at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He also struggled through 53 pitches in his final outing and will have to build up some arm strength before the playoffs.

Still, this is a welcome development for the Dodgers considering how well the rookie pitched prior to his injury.

Yamamoto posted a 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 74 innings during his first 14 starts of the season and seemed well on his way to being a critical part of a playoff push.

Fortunately for Los Angeles, it has weathered the storm without him and leads the National League West over the San Diego Padres by 5.5 games. While it is battling with the Atlanta Braves for the best record in the NL, it has something of a cushion to play with in the division as it works Yamamoto back into the fold.

There are still plenty of questions about the pitching staff, though, and the return of Yamamoto is yet another variable.

Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register noted Tyler Glasnow is slowly working his way back from elbow tendonitis while Clayton Kershaw is wearing a walking boot with an unclear timeline.

Throw in some inconsistency from Walker Buehler and Bobby Miller and the status of Yamamoto, and "only Jack Flaherty and Gavin Stone in the current rotation appear certain to start games in October."

But Tuesday's start will be a critical step for Yamamoto, even if he is limited to a handful of innings.