Shohei Ohtani nears his return to the mound with the Dodgers
Expectation is growing within the Los Angeles Dodgers regarding the imminent return of Shohei Ohtani to his duties as a pitcher. Although the coaching staff remains cautious, the star Japanese player has taken significant steps in his recovery, getting closer and closer to a new appearance on the mound.
Dave Roberts, the team’s manager, confirmed that the next crucial step will be a bullpen session scheduled for this Friday in Detroit. This workout will be the definitive test to measure his physical progress and determine the Japanese player’s schedule for action.
Ohtani’s response after Friday’s session will be decisive in determining when and in what capacity he will return to the mound.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
Planning flexibility
The organization remains flexible regarding the exact date of his return. Among the possibilities the Dodgers are considering is for Ohtani to pitch in the series finale against the Detroit Tigers or, failing that, during next week’s games in Los Angeles. What is clear is that a minor league rehabilitation assignment is not being considered, to ensure his offensive impact is not interrupted while he regains his form as a pitcher.
The recovery process
Ohtani has not pitched since last July 3rd due to discomfort in his left knee. However, his progress has been steady, highlighting the recent session where he threw 30 pitches to live batters. To manage his initial workload, the team is considering various strategies:
- Use Ohtani as an opener before Tyler Glasnow’s entry.
- Integrate left-hander Eric Lauer to cover more innings while the Japanese player recovers his full capacity.
For now, the Dodgers’ coaching staff prefers to wait for the results of Friday’s evaluation before charting the definitive path for their star’s return to the rotation.
