Shohei Ohtani, the designated hitter for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has not taken the mound since July 3, but he was enjoying a standout season prior to his injury. With a remarkable 1.79 ERA across 14 starts, Ohtani had consistently delivered strong performances, going at least six innings in all but one outing. However, a knee injury coupled with issues in his biceps has sidelined him from pitching duties.
Despite his absence from the pitching rotation, Ohtani has remained an active player in the lineup as a hitter. Nonetheless, questions linger regarding his return to the mound. Following a recent bullpen session, Ohtani reported that he did not feel completely ready, leading to the postponement of his anticipated return during a game on Sunday.
The Dodgers' pitching staff is currently bolstered by several capable arms, including Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, along with Roki Sasaki, who is currently injured. This depth allows the team to be cautious with Ohtani, as they do not feel the immediate need for him to pitch. Manager Dave Roberts has emphasized the importance of not jeopardizing Ohtani's hitting ability by pushing him to return to pitching too soon.
Despite Ohtani's recent struggles at the plate, with a batting line of .202/.288/.416 since resuming bullpen sessions, there has been no indication from him that pitching has negatively impacted his offense. According to Katie Woo from The Athletic, Dodgers' president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman confirmed that there have been no discussions about shutting Ohtani down from pitching altogether.
Friedman acknowledged Ohtani's competitive nature, stating, "It’s the competitor in him. He wants to be out there, you know, starting every turn and going deep into games and helping us in the box, which is great. But we have to make sure we do it in the most thoughtful way." He added that while the team is committed to getting Ohtani back on the mound, they are proceeding with caution and without a specific timeline for his return.
As the Dodgers navigate the remainder of the season, they are taking a day-by-day approach with Ohtani, weighing his health and performance carefully. His return to pitching remains a priority, but the team is focused on ensuring he is fully prepared to contribute effectively both on the mound and at the plate.
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