Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani's prospects of returning to the mound this season have become increasingly uncertain. After undergoing a lubricant injection in his left knee during the All-Star break, Ohtani has exclusively served as a designated hitter since July 3. Initially, there was hope he could make a limited return as a pitcher this past Sunday, but a recent bullpen session revealed that he was not ready to take the mound.
On Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed reporters, indicating that shutting Ohtani down for the remainder of the season as a pitcher is "certainly an option." This statement underscores the seriousness of Ohtani's knee issue and the team's cautious approach to his recovery.
Roberts further elaborated on the situation, stating there is no immediate deadline for making a decision regarding Ohtani's pitching status. "There's no hard timeline because any inning that he gives us is additive, given his roster availability," Roberts explained. He emphasized that even a few innings from Ohtani could be valuable, but the priority remains his overall health. He added, "To say that you could give us one inning or two innings is not valuable, that’s not true. The cost is does it affect his health?" This reflects the delicate balance the Dodgers must maintain between utilizing Ohtani's talents and ensuring he does not exacerbate his injury.
Ohtani's dual-threat capability as both a pitcher and hitter makes his situation particularly complex. The Dodgers are monitoring whether Ohtani's attempts to return to pitching are negatively impacting his offensive performance. Since his last start on the mound, Ohtani has posted a batting line of .269/.344/.538, which, while still productive, falls short of the MVP-caliber numbers he has established throughout his career with the Dodgers.
Interestingly, the Dodgers have ruled out the possibility of Ohtani playing as a corner outfielder, a position he has experience with from his time in Japan and during his stint with the Los Angeles Angels. When asked about this option, Roberts firmly stated it was "off the table," indicating the team's commitment to focusing on Ohtani's health and recovery.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Ohtani's pitching, the Dodgers remain well-positioned for a strong postseason run. Their rotation, featuring talents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow, is considered one of the most formidable in baseball, provided they can maintain their health. The Dodgers have previously won a World Series with Ohtani contributing solely as a designated hitter, achieving that success in 2024 even amid significant rotation challenges.
The implications of Ohtani's situation extend beyond the Dodgers' postseason aspirations; they also have potential ramifications for individual awards. With Ohtani's contributions limited to offense in recent months, other players, such as Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, have emerged as strong contenders for the National League MVP award. However, with nearly a full month of September remaining, the race for the MVP is still wide open.
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