The anticipation surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers continues to build, with reports suggesting the superstar is physically ready to take the mound. However, the team is exercising patience, prioritizing his long-term health and impact over a hastened return to his celebrated two-way role.
According to Gabe Lacques of USA Today, Ohtani’s pitching debut for the Dodgers may not occur until closer to the All-Star Break, ensuring he is fully prepared for the crucial postseason push.
The MLB All-Star game is slated to be played on July 15th in Atlanta, Georgia.
Los Angeles Dodgers Want Shohei Otani Fresh For Post-Season Push
Manager Dave Roberts has talked at great length about Ohtani’s pitching progression, stating that the organization is in “lock step” with the player regarding the timeline.
“It was a collective decision, and I think he understands that the goal is to make sure he’s firing on all cylinders towards the end of the season and into October,” Roberts explained. “We’re in lock step. So I don’t think there’s any sort of angst or anxiety or frustration for Shohei in that sense at all.”
Roberts’ comments suggest the team’s vision for Ohtani’s return to two-way action, prioritizing his peak performance during the most critical part of the season, that is to say the playoff run to the World Series.
Despite Blake Snell currently being on the injured list, the Dodgers prioritized pitching depth this offseason, mitigating the immediate need for Ohtani on the mound. Tony Gonsolin is also progressing in his recovery and is expected to return relatively soon, further bolstering their pitching options.
The Dodgers are likely to utilize a six-man rotation moving forward, with Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Dustin May established as their primary starters. The team has recently employed spot starters, such as Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack, during their east coast trip and is expected to utilize Knack and Bobby Miller this week to fill the remaining rotation slots.
Additionally, the potential return of Clayton Kershaw sometime in May adds another layer of depth and experience to their pitching staff.
While the excitement among fans to see Ohtani back in his dual role, the Dodgers clearly have their eyes on the bigger prize, going back to back as world champs. This suggests that his debut on the mound for Los Angeles may still be some time away.