Shohei Ohtani crushed two home runs and drove in three on Wednesday, a bright spot in the Dodgers’ tough 7-6 defeat to the Chicago Cubs, but don’t let those dingers distract you: he’s still battling knee and biceps ailments. While the two-way superstar fights through pain for an NL MVP race against Pete Crow-Armstrong, the biggest news out of Los Angeles might be a comeback nobody saw coming. We’re talking about right-hander Gavin Stone, whose return is officially in sight, and man, the Dodgers need him.
Gavin Stone’s Comeback: A Shot in the Arm for the Rotation
Remember Gavin Stone? Two years ago, the dude was tied for the team lead in wins during the regular season. Then, bam, shoulder surgery wiped out his entire 2025 season. It was brutal. He even made one early season exhibition start before getting shut down again, making it look like another lost year. But hold up, Dodgers fans, because Stone just made his first rehab start with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Comets, tossing 1 2/3 innings, allowing only one run, and striking out three. That’s huge! With Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell expected back before the season ends, adding Stone into the mix is absolutely critical. Yamamoto is once again leading the team in wins, but a deeper rotation keeps everyone fresh. Stone could even be a placeholder for one of LA’s stars, including Ohtani, in what’s shaping up to be a crowded, but deep, starting rotation “down the stretch.” The kid is on his way back, and it could not come at a better time.
Ohtani’s MVP Grind: Driving Balls and Battling Ailments
Ohtani’s performance on Wednesday, despite the loss, was peak superstar stuff. Two bombs, three RBI, all while dealing with those pesky knee and biceps issues. He’s a warrior, no doubt. After the game, he told Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA that things are “Heading in the right direction.” He added, “Definitely being able to drive the ball with the right angle is what I’m ultimately looking for.” That’s the focus of an MVP contender, right there. He’s duking it out with Pete Crow-Armstrong for that NL MVP title, and he gave a shout-out to his rival, saying, “He’s a great player.” But Ohtani’s ultimate goal is bigger than one game. Maddie Lee of the Los Angeles Times reported that Ohtani is “really focused on myself on the hitting side of things right now, really working towards hopefully getting back on the mound and working on that side of the game as well.” You hear that? He wants to be ready to go on *both* sides of the field for October. That’s the mindset of a champion.
The Dodgers need Ohtani healthy and firing on all cylinders, especially if he’s thinking about getting back on the mound. And with Stone’s return beefing up the rotation and guys like Glasnow and Snell on the horizon, this team is getting deep. The focus for Ohtani isn’t just today’s game, it’s about being 100% for October, and that means keeping an eye on that hitting, but never forgetting the mound. The path to the postseason just got a little clearer with Stone heading back to the big league club.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by True Blue LA.
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