The Los Angeles Dodgers are in a brutal fight for National League supremacy right now, sitting just one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers for that top spot. They are battling the Atlanta Braves in a big series after dropping the opener Tuesday night. But forget the current series for a second, because the biggest news breaking today is a potential game-changer that could send shockwaves through the entire NL: Shohei Ohtani might be pitching again this weekend.
The Injury That Kept Us Waiting
We all know Ohtani has been a hitting-only machine for the past month, right? That’s all because of a nasty, lingering knee injury that has sidelined his pitching arm. The team pulled him from the mound before the All-Star break, hoping to manage what they called both a knee and biceps injury. SI’s Matt Levine spilled the beans, saying Ohtani got a lubricant shot in his knee, but it “hasn’t healed in the manner that Los Angeles would like to see.” This isn’t a new problem either, folks. Remember back in June when he got yanked from a game with left knee inflammation? ESPN’s Alden Gonzales reported that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts thought he’d be back in the lineup “as early as tomorrow” then. Well, “tomorrow” took a while, didn’t it?
Why This Changes Everything For The Top Spots
Now, here’s the real kicker. MLB insider Jon Morosi dropped a bomb today, sharing that Ohtani *could* potentially be back on the mound this Sunday in Detroit. Roberts himself called it a “possibility.” All eyes are on his bullpen session today, or if he faces live hitters in Atlanta, because those sessions will decide everything. You think the Dodgers were dangerous before? They already have a stacked rotation, but adding Ohtani back into the mix? That makes them even more terrifying. With Los Angeles locked in a jam-packed race for those two crucial first-round byes, Ohtani’s potential return couldn’t come at a more critical time. This battle for the top two spots in the NL is going down to the wire, and this is exactly where Ohtani needs to be for his recovery and for their season.
So, keep your eyes peeled, baseball fans. Today’s bullpen session is huge. If Ohtani gets the green light for Sunday, the entire complexion of the National League’s top contenders could shift dramatically. Get ready for some wild baseball.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply