After establishing themselves as one of the early favorites in the league, and currently holding a strong 11-5 record through Sunday’s games, the Los Angeles Dodgers stand on the cusp of integrating a truly unique talent: the two-way prowess of Shohei Ohtani, a prospect the organization and its fanbase have eagerly awaited.
While manager Dave Roberts already oversees a formidable pitching rotation, the potential return of the Japanese superstar to the mound would elevate the reigning champions to an even more daunting level. According to Bob Nightingale of USA Today, Ohtani’s return to pitching might be closer than many anticipate.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Could Step On Mound Today
Nightingale reported, “‘If the Los Angeles Dodgers actually needed him, Shohei Ohtani could step on the mound right now and contribute, according to a person close to Ohtani, but his return is looking like it may come closer to the All-Star break.'” This suggests a cautious but optimistic timeline for his pitching debut.
Ohtani, who remarkably won the American League Most Valuable Player award in 2024 without throwing a single pitch due to recovery from elbow surgery, has been diligently working toward his return to the pitching role that made him a sensation. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball would be a significant asset for a Dodgers team already boasting impressive pitching depth.
A testament to his capabilities on the mound, Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting in 2022. Furthermore, between 2021 and 2023, he started 74 games, compiling a stellar 2.84 ERA and striking out an impressive 542 batters.
The Dodgers’ current rotation already features the formidable arms of Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Dustin May. The addition of a healthy and effective Ohtani to this group would create a starting staff that could arguably be described as utterly dominant.
Despite this wealth of pitching talent, the Dodgers appear to be taking a patient approach with Ohtani’s return to the mound. When he is deemed ready, the team will face decisions regarding roster management, potentially involving moving a current starter to the bullpen or exploring trade options.
While Dustin May has performed exceptionally well in his recent starts, Ohtani’s return could impact his long-term role in the rotation. Interestingly, the article also subtly suggests that exploring avenues to strengthen the offense further might not be an unwelcome proposition for the already stacked Dodgers.