Dodgers Still Have ‘A Lot of Time’ Until Shohei Ohtani Will Pitch, Says Dave Roberts
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was candid about two-way star Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound. The reigning NL MVP won’t be making his pitching debut in Dodger blue anytime soon, according to Roberts.
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Ohtani threw his weekly bullpen session over the weekend, but has yet to face live hitters. Roberts explained the Dodgers superstar still had several steps to complete in his pitching progression.
“Then you start to do up-and-down bullpens, start-stop,” Roberts said. “Then you start facing hitters. So we’ve still got a lot of time.”
Ohtani is also a unique case because he can’t go on a rehab assignment like other pitchers since the Dodgers need him in the lineup. But the Dodgers have made it increasingly clear that the team is in no rush for Ohtani to make his return to the mound.
The priority is still October.
“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 said. “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.”
The Dodgers have plenty of pitching depth and it’s already been put to the test early in the season. Blake Snell going on the injured list has opened up opportunities for younger pitchers, such as Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack.
Bobby Miller is likely the next man up as he’s expected to start on Wednesday for the Dodgers.
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Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
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