Dodgers Hope for Shohei Ohtani's Return to Pitching

The Los Angeles Dodgers are currently unsure when Shohei Ohtani will return to the pitching rotation after a planned start was canceled due to ongoing knee and biceps injuries. Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman expressed the team's desire to have Ohtani pitch again this season, despite suggestions to focus solely on his hitting.

Ohtani has not pitched since July 3, facing multiple setbacks in his recovery. The latest setback occurred when the team decided against a one-inning start in Detroit after he reported not feeling fully recovered following a bullpen session. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that while the team hopes to have Ohtani back on the mound for the playoffs, they must consider the impact on his hitting performance.

Friedman remains optimistic about Ohtani's pitching progression, stating that any contribution he can make would be beneficial. Although Ohtani initially felt good during his ramp-up process, he experienced discomfort after a recent live session against hitters. The Dodgers are taking a cautious approach, prioritizing Ohtani's health and performance as they monitor his recovery.