Shohei Ohtani May Not Pitch for Dodgers Until Around the All-Star Break: Report
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani is reportedly ready to pitch, but the team is not rushing his return to two-way status.
More news: Ippei Mizuhara’s Bookie Wonders About Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani’s Knowledge of Gambling
According to USA Today’s Gabe Lacques, Ohtani may not pitch for the Dodgers until closer to the All-Star Break. Realistically, the Dodgers’ priority for Ohtani is to be ready to pitch in the postseason.
Manager Dave Roberts explained that the organization is in “lock step” with Ohtani over his slowed pitching progression.
“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.”
Although Blake Snell is currently on the injured list, the Dodgers don’t exactly need Ohtani given the plethora of pitching depth.
Tony Gonsolin is still working his way back from an injury, but should be returning relatively soon. The Dodgers will likely use a six-man rotation moving forward. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Dustin May are L.A.’s four primary starters, but the Dodgers have recently used spot starters to fill in the next two slots of the rotation.
On their trip to the east coast, the Dodgers called up Justin Wrobleski and Landon Knack. This week, the Dodgers will likely use Knack and Bobby Miller. The Dodgers also have Clayton Kershaw set to return potentially sometime in May.
While fans are excited to see Ohtani back on the mound, the Dodgers are taking a cautious approach. Thus, he may not debut on the mound for a little while.
More news: Dodgers Key Reliever Close to Returning Off Injured List
Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
Have you joined our Discord Channel yet? Be a part of the ultimate Dodgers Nation community and get VIP Nation Access! Don’t miss out on real-time Dodgers talk, call-in access to Dodgers Dougout, behind-the-scenes content, exclusive interviews, giveaways, and more!
