Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has provided a clearer roadmap for Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound after the two-way star completed a successful bullpen session Friday. Ohtani is working his way back from left knee soreness that has kept him off the mound since July 3.
Ohtani threw 34 pitches at Dodger Stadium and reported no discomfort in his knee. The Dodgers will now gradually increase his workload before determining when he is ready to pitch in a competitive game.
Roberts said Ohtani will throw one or two more bullpen sessions before progressing to live batting practice. If he responds well, the Dodgers plan to have his final rehab appearances at the major league level rather than sending him to the minors.
Ohtani has continued to play every day as the Dodgers’ designated hitter while his pitching program has been paused. He is batting .290 with a .390 on-base percentage, 27 home runs and 74 RBIs through 113 games this season.
His return to the mound would give Los Angeles another weapon as it battles for the National League’s top postseason position. Ohtani has gone 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP and 95 strikeouts across 85.2 innings this season.
The Dodgers have taken a cautious approach because Ohtani received an Orthovisc injection in his left knee during the All-Star break. Roberts also indicated the club does not currently intend to rest Ohtani from his regular duties as a hitter during the recovery process.
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Los Angeles entered Saturday at 74-49, just one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for the best record in the National League. The Dodgers’ 3-1 victory over Milwaukee on Friday further tightened that race.
Ohtani’s pitching return could therefore arrive at an important point in the Dodgers’ season. With the club also working toward Tyler Glasnow’s return, Roberts has options for managing Ohtani’s workload rather than immediately asking him to handle a traditional starter’s innings.
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