Roberts Discusses Ohtani’s Workload Management
On Tuesday afternoon, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shared some cautious thoughts regarding Shohei Ohtani’s return to full-time play this season. He emphasized, as he has all spring, the importance of managing Ohtani’s workload carefully. Depending on how Ohtani feels during games, the team might even give him some extra time off or shorten his pitching outings if he appears fatigued.
Ohtani’s return follows a two-year absence due to his second Tommy John surgery, which has sparked optimism that the 31-year-old right-hander will be able to pitch effectively this year.
If all goes well, Roberts believes Ohtani will definitely be a candidate for the Cy Young award. “Oh, yeah,” he stated confidently. “He has the talent, the ability, and the will to compete at that level. If he performs as expected, he’ll certainly be in that discussion.” I mean, it makes sense, right?
Not long after, Roberts got a glimpse of what he hoped for in Ohtani during a final spring training session. Despite allowing three runs over four innings, Ohtani showcased remarkable dominance by striking out 11 batters in five innings and allowing only one hit. Surprisingly, he faced what appeared to be the Angels’ main lineup. Of the 35 swings taken against him, 17 resulted in missed connections, and only one ball was hit hard, exceeding 95 mph.
The high number of strikeouts pushed Ohtani’s pitch count to 86, forcing him to exit after allowing a few singles in succession. Roberts had the intention of having Ohtani bat sixth that night. Regardless, the short crowd at Chavez Ravine celebrated his performance with a standing ovation, especially since he surrendered only one run during his time on the mound.
Ohtani is anticipated to make his regular-season pitching debut against the Guardians next Tuesday. This marks the start of what he hopes will be his first complete season as a pitcher since joining the Dodgers—an important milestone, considering it’s the only major accolade he hasn’t yet secured in his career.
Additional Insights from the Dodgers’ Final Spring Game
- Cactus Champion: Despite a 3-0 loss to the Angels, the Dodgers boasted the best spring record in the Cactus League at 20-9-2. However, Roberts couldn’t help but joke, “Absolutely not,” when asked about the significance of the spring title, unless it somehow correlates to winning the World Series.
- Wolowo Relief: Justin Robleski is set to start the season as a bulk reliever, potentially complementing Ohtani—or Roki Sasaki if the latter struggles. On Tuesday, he was in top form, striking out all 12 batters he faced during four flawless innings. He could step in as the sixth starter if needed.
- What Caught My Eye: Santiago Espinal earned his spot on the Opening Day roster thanks to his impressive and versatile defense. On Tuesday, he made two notable plays—one at second base and another after moving to third.
- Next: The Dodgers will take a breather on Wednesday before starting the 2026 season with the opener against the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
