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Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of returning to the starting rotation, with expectations set for early September. Ohtani, who has been sidelined from pitching since July 3 due to knee soreness, threw live batting practice over the weekend, marking a significant step in his recovery.
Ohtani's last pitching appearance was against San Diego, where he reported right biceps tightness after throwing 110 pitches. Despite these setbacks, he has continued to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter, maintaining a strong offensive presence with a .292 batting average, 26 home runs, and 71 RBIs.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani's progress, stating, "We're talking about this constantly. Nothing should be off the table, and nothing is set in stone. It's more of how he feels." According to MLB.com, the team is hopeful that a tweak in his mechanics will prevent further knee issues.
The Dodgers have not announced a specific date for Ohtani's return to the mound, but Yahoo Sports reports that early-to-mid September is the target window. Ohtani's role upon return may involve shorter outings to manage his workload effectively.
With the Dodgers holding a strong lead in the National League West, the team is prioritizing Ohtani's health for the postseason. His potential return as a multi-inning opener could be a strategic advantage in high-stakes games. As the Dodgers prepare for their next homestand starting September 1, fans eagerly await Ohtani's return to pitching.