Shohei Ohtani pitching return won't be rushed by Dodgers, Roberts says
Dave Roberts said Ohtani is set for another bullpen Saturday, but the Dodgers do not expect him back in the rotation next week.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Shohei Ohtani's pitching return is still on hold, even with another mound session planned for Saturday at Citi Field, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday.
Roberts said before the Dodgers opened a three-game series against the New York Mets that he does not expect Ohtani to rejoin the rotation next week. The manager said the club is thinking beyond July and toward October as it handles the two-way star's recovery.
Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of irritation in his left knee, according to the Associated Press. The Dodgers have said the issue has not affected him at the plate, and he has continued to appear regularly as the designated hitter.
On Friday night, Ohtani was in his familiar leadoff role against the Mets, who were described by the Associated Press as being in last place.
When will Shohei Ohtani pitch again?
The Dodgers have not announced a firm date for Ohtani's next start. Roberts said the team will stay flexible, with Saturday's bullpen session depending on how Ohtani feels after throwing about 30 pitches off a mound Wednesday in Philadelphia.
A bullpen session is a controlled pitching workout away from game action. For an injured pitcher, it lets the team check mechanics, stamina and physical response before deciding whether to increase the workload.
Ohtani received a lubricant injection shortly before the All-Star break, according to the Associated Press. Roberts said last weekend that Ohtani would need more time before pitching in a game again.
Roberts said the Dodgers are in daily contact with Ohtani about the pitching plan and will not push him ahead of schedule. The manager said Ohtani felt good after the latest bullpen work, but the next step remains conditional.
Before the knee issue paused his pitching season, Ohtani had gone 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85⅔ innings in 14 starts, according to the Associated Press. He had also won his previous six decisions.
At the plate, the four-time MVP entered Friday batting .283 with 22 home runs, 60 RBIs and a .917 OPS, the Associated Press reported.
The Dodgers began the day at 65-38, the best record in the majors, with an 11-game lead in the NL West. The Associated Press described Los Angeles as the two-time defending World Series champion.
What did Roberts say about the Dodgers' other injuries?
Roberts also gave updates on several injured Dodgers, according to the Associated Press.
Blake Snell, a two-time Cy Young Award winner, was scheduled to make his second rehab start Friday night for Triple-A Oklahoma City. Roberts said he wanted Snell to get through three innings as he works back from loose bodies in his left elbow.
Snell has been out since his season debut on May 9. In his first rehab outing for the Comets last Saturday, he threw 32 pitches over 1⅓ innings, according to the Associated Press.
Closer Edwin Díaz, who is recovering from right elbow surgery, made rehab appearances on back-to-back days Wednesday and Thursday for Oklahoma City. The Associated Press reported that Díaz is scheduled to pitch again Sunday and could rejoin the Dodgers on Tuesday if that outing goes well.
Roberts said Tyler Glasnow, on the 60-day injured list since May 8 because of low back spasms, is facing hitters and moving in a positive direction. Catcher Will Smith, sidelined by neck inflammation, is pain-free and starting to increase his activity.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.