Shohei Ohtani could be back pitching in MLB games as early as next week. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts dropped that timeline on reporters Sunday, and if you know anything about L.A.’s rotation woes, you know how massive that is. This isn’t just about getting a star back, it’s about getting back a legitimate ace, and the Dodgers’ staff is screaming for help right now.
Ohtani’s Bat Has Been Carrying the Load
Let’s be real, even with the injury, Ohtani has been doing Ohtani things at the plate. He hasn’t pitched since July 3, first sidelined by knee trouble, then a biceps injury in his throwing arm. But even at less than 100 percent, the guy has been a designated hitter beast. We’re talking six home runs in 20 August games so far, with a ridiculous .282/.371/.564 slash line. His performance absolutely hasn’t suffered as a hitter, which is insane. He even had a throwing session against hitters on Saturday, so it looks like he is really building up.
Dodgers’ Pitching Staff Is on Life Support
Here’s the kicker: for all the talk about the Dodgers being “preordained” for a three-peat, their pitching staff is nowhere near where it needs to be. Yeah, they snagged Tarik Skubal, which felt like the rich getting richer, but even with that, the rotation has been a massive area of concern. Think about it: at the time of the Skubal trade, Ohtani, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow were *all* unavailable. Then Justin Wrobleski blew past his career high for innings in a single MLB season, and what happened? He just landed on the IL with left forearm inflammation. Snell is thankfully back from his own IL stint, but Wrobleski’s injury really highlights the depth issues. The bottom line is, this staff isn’t in a great place.
Getting a healthy Ohtani back as a two-way player would be a colossal boost for this rotation. We’re talking about the guy who was posting a 1.79 ERA and averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings before going down. If he comes back anywhere near that form, it completely changes the dynamic for L.A. This isn’t just a comeback story, it’s potentially the key to saving their entire season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
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