Yamamoto headed to IL

Starter has strained right forearm; Dugger back from Triple-A

MIAMI — In a Marlins season rife with pitching injuries, Jordan Yamamoto is the latest starter to miss extended time.

On Wednesday, Miami placed the rookie right-hander on the 10-day IL with a right forearm strain. Yamamoto, who made his MLB debut on June 12, has posted a 4.87 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 69 strikeouts and 30 walks in 13 starts.

In a corresponding move, the Marlins recalled Robert Dugger from Triple-A New Orleans. The fellow rookie will start Thursday’s series finale versus the Cincinnati Reds at Marlins Park.

Yamamoto, 23, is the fourth Marlins’ starter to spend time on the injured list. Caleb Smith, Jose Urena and Pablo Lopez, who all began the season in the rotation, have been sidelined with injuries at various points in the season.

Yamamoto is nearing a careerhigh innings total and has nearly doubled last year’s output. This season, he’s pitched 1332⁄3 combined innings between Triple-A New Orleans and the majors. In 2018, injuries limited him to 682⁄3 minor league innings.

Marlins manager Don Mattingly said the team doesn’t think Yamamoto’s injury is anything to be concerned about.

“[Yamamoto] had a little soreness after the start the other day,” Mattingly said of the rookie heading to the IL. “They did some testing and felt good about no structural damage or anything like that; he just had some inflammation in there.

“We’ll work that out and hopefully get him back pitching again before the year is over.”

Despite there being less than a month remaining in the season, Mattingly said the team doesn’t plan on shutting Yamamoto down. While the minor league season wraps up this weekend, the right-hander could make rehab outings in Jupiter’s instructional league before returning.

Acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in the Christian Yelich trade, Yamamoto made a splash in his debut, tossing seven shutout innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. He allowed three hits and two walks. while notching

five strikeouts in a 9-0 victory.

Born in Pearl City, Hawaii, Yamamoto starred at Saint Louis High School, whose alums include Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota and Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

With Yamamoto sidelined, Dugger will fill his spot in the rotation. The 24-year-old righthander made his MLB debut earlier in a spot start earlier this month in New York. Facing the Mets, Dugger pitched five innings, allowing six earned runs on five hits and four walks while logging three strikeouts.

Dugger has split 2019 between Double-A and Triple-A, making 23 combined starts. He began the season in Jacksonville, posting a 3.31 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 3.48 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 1091⁄3 innings. After being promoted to New Orleans, he notched a 7.59 ERA in 10 starts (531⁄3 innings).

He last pitched on Friday, pitching seven innings, while allowing two earned runs on two hits.

“It’s good being back,” Dugger said. “This time I get to get acclimated and all that. It’s still nervewracking for sure, but I’m excited to be here.

“It’s always nice to get your feet wet and New York’s a crazy place to play, but it’s the same game, so I’m going to do what I know how to do.”

LYNNE SLADKY/AP Marlins starter Jordan Yamamoto sits in the dugout after pitching against the Phillies on Saturday in Miami. Yamamoto is suffering from a strained right forearm and has been put on the 10-day IL.