The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced another setback in their pitching lineup as manager Dave Roberts hinted that Shohei Ohtani might “potentially” return to the mound soon.
Diving into some details, Ohtani participated in a simulated game where he managed to throw 44 pitches. This has given Roberts some optimism that, if all goes smoothly, Ohtani may be able to complete his final simulated outing before making a return to major league games.
Roberts, while speaking with reporters, mentioned that Ohtani’s next appearance could “potentially” be his last simulated outing ahead of his big league comeback.
While Ohtani has been limited in his innings, Roberts emphasized that any contribution Ohtani can provide to the team would be “additive.”
It’s worth noting that Ohtani is on the road to recovery from elbow surgery he had back in 2023.
Despite the hopeful news regarding Ohtani, the Dodgers continue dealing with challenges in their pitching staff. Roberts mentioned a need to carefully manage Roki Sasaki’s condition this year.
Sasaki has been sidelined since May 9 due to a shoulder issue stemming from a collision.
Roberts remarked that Sasaki “is not comfortable,” adding, “I can’t say if it hurts or not… That’s really a question for him.” He clarified that it’s more about discomfort, stating it feels like tension rather than pain.
Sasaki is in his debut season with the Dodgers, having transitioned from Japan, and he holds a record of 1-1 with a 4.72 ERA and 24 strikeouts so far this season.
Currently, the Dodgers are sitting two games ahead of the Giants in the NL West standings as they approach the weekend.
