Dodgers notes: Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki

As the Dodgers wrap up their three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday, they will turn to Yoshinobu Yamamoto to try and salvage the series.

After scuffling over a four start stretch from April 21 through May 12 where he posted a 1-2 record with a 5.18 ERA, Yamamoto has returned back to his All-Star form over his last two starts, tossing seven innings and allowing runs against both the San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He is set to face a team that although has combined for six runs in the series, the Phillies have crushed three home runs.

The biggest challenge for Yamamoto, as noted by Sonja Chen of MLB.com , will be his ability to limit the long ball early in the game, especially as he faces the league leader in home runs in Kyle Schwarber .

Yamamoto has had two primary issues this year: the long ball and the first inning. He’s surrendered nine home runs — just five fewer than last year — and seven of the 22 earned runs he’s allowed have come in the opening frame… The Phillies should present a challenge from the get-go with leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber, who leads the Majors with 22 home runs — and memorably took Yamamoto deep for a Statcast-projected 455-foot shot in the NLDS that was commemorated with a plaque.

Since being placed on the IL back on May 7, Tyler Glasnow has yet to progress in his recovery. Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic tweeted that Glasnow is able to play catch, but has yet to “get over the hump” in increasing his throwing progression.

Although an ill-fated eighth inning robbed him of a third straight win, Roki Sasaki continued to show gradual improvements on the mound, as he allowed just three hits, one run and one walk while striking out seven across 5 1/3 innings against a dynamic Phillies offense. Sasaki even retired 13 hitters in a row on Saturday after allowing a second inning home run to Alec Bohm .

Sasaki spoke with Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA following the Dodgers’ deflating 4-3 loss about the increasing diversity of his pitch arsenal, which has allowed him to find recent success after another disappointing start to the season.

“My usage really depends on different hitters, but overall it’s going pretty well and the usage is pretty good. My fastball was really good. The velocity was there and I was able to execute the catcher’s calls.”