Shohei Ohtani could make Dodgers pitching return…
Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani could return to the mound as soon as Sunday.
Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani returning to sport motion by this weekend stays a “possibility.”
The Dodgers had been beforehand bracing themselves for Ohtani to pitch only an inning or two at a time in the postseason, but latest developments counsel he could give you the chance to return as a full-fledged beginning pitcher.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani takes half in a bullpen session before a baseball sport against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, in Denver. AP Photo/David Zalubowski
After the collection against the Braves in Atlanta, the Dodgers will continue their highway journey to Detroit.
The group’s pitching plans for the Tigers collection this weekend hinge on Ohtani’s work Wednesday in Atlanta, which will probably be either a bullpen session or going through live hitters.
That means there’s a risk both Tarik Skubal and Ohtani start on the mound for the Dodgers in Detroit.
In July 2023, when he was a member of the Angels, Ohtani threw a shutout in Game 1 of a memorable doubleheader at Comerica Park and homered twice in Game 2 .
Ohtani threw 30 pitches to Will Smith in a simulated sport Saturday with no points, another milestone in his recovery from a knee and biceps injury Wednesday.
The right-hander hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since July 3.
Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers throws live batting observe before a sport against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, August 22, 2026, in Los Angeles, California. (2026 Getty Images) Getty Images
Los Angeles Dodgers beginning pitcher Shohei Ohtani prepares to throw a pitch against the Colorado Rockies during a baseball sport on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, in Los Angeles. (Wally Skalij for CA Post) Wally Skalij for CA Post
If Ohtani doesn’t make the start Sunday against the Tigers and returns a week later instead, he’s still in a place to pitch 4 or 5 video games before the end of the common season. That means the Dodgers could use Ohtani as a starter come October.
But his start in Detroit doubtless wouldn’t be more than an inning or two as the group continues to take a cautious strategy in ramping their two-way star back up.
Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 85.2 innings on the mound this season. At the plate, he’s hitting .287 with 30 home runs, 80 RBIs and a league-leading .933 OPS.
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