Dave Roberts acknowledged that there is a possibility that the Japanese will not take the mound again this year, as the team hopes to see him again in action during a bullpen session.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are still unclear if Shohei Ohtani will pitch again this season. The Japanese has been away from the mound since July 3 due to persistent discomfort in his left knee and right biceps, and his return continues without a defined date.
Ohtani threw a 20-pitch bullpen session last Friday, but two days later he was ruled out of a possible start against the Detroit Tigers. Since then, the Dodgers prefer to move forward cautiously and wait for new signs about his physical condition.
“I think he’s in a good place physically,” manager Dave Roberts explained. “I haven’t heard anything different about whether he has discomfort in his arm or his knee. All he and the training team have told me is that he feels good.”
However, Roberts left a door open that until recently seemed unlikely. When asked directly about the possibility of Ohtani not pitching again in 2026, the Dodgers manager responded that “it’s an option.”
The next step will depend on the next bullpen session. Roberts explained that he needs to see him pitch again before determining how he will continue his progression as a pitcher.
Before being removed from the mound, Ohtani had had an excellent season as a pitcher, with a record of 8-2 and an ERA of 1.79 in 14 starts, figures that explain the Dodgers’ interest in recovering his contribution from the mound as soon as possible.
Could Ohtani play in the outfield?
Another possibility would be to use Ohtani as an outfielder if he were not able to start a game as a pitcher, but Roberts ruled out that alternative for now.
“It’s not on the table right now,” he said.
Ohtani has not played as an outfielder in the Major Leagues since 2021, when he played seven games in that position with the Los Angeles Angels.
A more viable alternative, if he couldn’t make a full start, would be to use him in relief. This way, the Dodgers could take advantage of his arm without requiring the workload of a starting outing.
In addition, there is a particularity with what is known as the “Ohtani Rule”. If the Japanese starts a game as the designated hitter and later moves to the mound, the Dodgers would lose the designated hitter for the rest of the game. On the other hand, if he moves from the mound to the outfield, he could remain in the offensive order.
For Roberts, the priority remains finding the balance between taking advantage of Ohtani’s versatility and protecting his health.
“I know perfectly well the value he has to throw, but if he is not at 100%, possibly that will also end up affecting his offensive performance,” explained the manager. “Any input you can give us is added value. The question is whether it affects your health.”
For now, the Dodgers have not set a deadline for deciding whether Ohtani will pitch again. His next bullpen will be decisive in knowing if there is still a path to his return to the mound this season.
