Dodgers player Yoshinobu Yamamoto hopes to return from injured list in September while recovering from triceps injury | News, scores, highlights, stats and rumors

Yoshinobu Yamamoto still plans to help the Los Angeles Dodgers win the World Series this year.

The right-hander, who hasn't appeared in a game since June 15 because of right triceps tightness, pitched two innings in a simulated game on Wednesday and said through an interpreter, “The feeling was pretty good. Everything is starting to come together,” according to the Associated Press (h/t ESPN).

Manager Dave Roberts said the next step is to throw three innings over the next five days before beginning a rehab assignment and possibly returning in September.

“One thing at a time,” Yamamoto said. “I'll host a few games in September and then we'll see.”

Yamamoto was one of the Dodgers' star players this past offseason, along with Shohei Ohtani. He signed a 12-year, $325 million contract to help solidify the team's starting lineup.

That's exactly what he did in 14 starts before going on the injured list.

The right-hander posted a 2.92 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 84 strikeouts in 74 innings and needed little time to adjust to major league competition in his first season in the United States.

His setback was one of many for the Dodgers' pitching rotation. As the AP noted, River Ryan, Tony Gonsolin, Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt all had to undergo Tommy John surgery, while Dustin May will be out for the rest of the season because of flexor tendon and esophageal surgery.

In addition, Tyler Glasnow is on the 15-day injured list due to tendinitis in his right elbow.

That makes Yamamoto's potential return before the playoffs all the more important for the Dodgers, and in Wednesday's performance he seemed on the right track.

“The ball came out of his hand with a lot of life,” Roberts said. “He seems to be healthy. As long as he recovers well, we can focus on the commands and all that other stuff.”

Los Angeles sits atop the National League West, 3.5 games ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Diego Padres. Neither challenger has let up in the division race, so the Dodgers could use the reinforcements in the pitching rotation.

And then they could also use Yamamoto's right arm in critical playoff situations.