The ongoing interest in Shohei Ohtani’s status seems to be shifting a bit.
For the Los Angeles Dodgers, the urgency about his pitching return isn’t as crucial lately, especially with their recent moves. They acquired Tarik Skubal just two weeks ago at the trade deadline, and Blake Snell returned in strong form from injury on Tuesday.
Now, the team feels more confident with a trio of Skubal, Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto set to anchor their rotation for the upcoming stretch. Plus, Tyler Glasnow is on a rehab assignment in the minors, so they might soon have another ace in the mix.
“Things are coming together,” manager Dave Roberts mentioned, expressing his excitement.
Still, the Dodgers would love to see Ohtani back on the mound.
They remain hopeful about his recovery, having been sidelined since early July due to a knee injury, which also kept him out of the bullpen for three weeks now.
What’s different now is that his absence doesn’t feel as ominous looming over the season as it did before.
Ideally, they’d love for him to resume full starts. Even a few innings in October would be a win for them.
But in the off chance he doesn’t pitch again this year, they’re prepared. The Dodgers can likely count on a solid pitching lineup for the playoffs without him.
“His health is our top priority,” Roberts stated regarding Ohtani. “Whether we have Skubal or not, it’s essential we focus on what’s right for him.”
It remains unclear what Ohtani can contribute on the mound this season.
He did manage to throw a few times last week, which is a positive sign after being restricted from pitching for a fortnight due to knee issues.
Questions Surround Ohtani’s Pitching Future
He hasn’t pitched from the mound yet, but he did some dry throws, mimicking his throwing motion after catching on Tuesday.
This is significant, considering the close watch on his recovery. Roberts also reiterated that Ohtani’s return to bullpen sessions is on the horizon.
“When exactly that will happen, we’re not sure,” Roberts said. “However, throwing over 200 feet and doing dry throws lately is promising. Maybe a mound session could be next.”
Nonetheless, Ohtani has a long way to go before getting back on the major league field.
He’ll likely need several bullpen outings and to face hitters in practice before being close to game-ready, which might also involve a limited role initially.
On the flip side, rebuilding his stamina could take weeks, similar to his previous comeback after undergoing Tommy John surgery last season.
If setbacks arise due to knee issues, he might not have enough time to pitch this year.
That’s why the Dodgers are choosing to proceed cautiously.
“Looking at how we’ve approached this, we want to be smart,” Roberts commented. “I’m glad we can manage this with him.”
Of course, it’s much easier to maintain this perspective since Ohtani’s situation isn’t threatening the team’s season as much anymore.
Skubal’s acquisition was a major highlight at the trade deadline, and Snell’s impressive six-inning performance confirmed his strength as a key player post-surgery.
Glasnow’s return will further enhance the Dodgers’ pitching depth, which is already impressive.
Even if star pitchers from other teams were involved, the trio of Skubal, Snell, and Yamamoto stands tall by comparison.
Among pitchers with at least 50 starts since 2022, all three rank high in ERAs.
And let’s not forget, Ohtani has excelled at the top of those listings. Ideally, having him as both a designated hitter and a pitcher would be best for the team.
“Getting those innings from a player like him is incredibly valuable,” Roberts acknowledged.
But, with alternative options on hand, relying on Ohtani to pitch doesn’t seem as critical for maintaining the Dodgers’ dynasty.
While they still hope for his return as a two-way player, there’s less urgency. They are monitoring his recovery closely, but there’s no need to hold their breaths. The rotation is likely solid enough regardless of Ohtani’s status.
