Dodgers' Yamamoto planning to return this season: 'That's my goal'

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto believes he can return this season after sustaining a strained rotator cuff in his shoulder in mid-June.

"That's my goal. … I'm trying to come back as soon as I can," Yamamoto said Sunday, according to Alden González of ESPN.

The 25-year-old added that he's been playing catch and increasing the distance and intensity during his throwing.

The Dodgers are hoping Yamamoto can pitch again in the majors by late August or early September.

"He'll play catch tomorrow," manager Dave Roberts said, according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. "He's stretching out close to 200 feet. No timeline for when he's going to throw a bullpen, but he's pain-free right now. I assume Monday he starts picking his throwing program back up."

Yamamoto owns a 3.00 ERA with 1.07 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 over 74 innings (14 starts) during his rookie year. He signed a 12-year, $325-million contract in the offseason.