The Los Angeles Dodgers are 11-5 to start the season and could be getting another reliable pitcher back soon. Shohei Ohtani is reportedly close to pitching again.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale revealed that Ohtani is close to pitching again and could even pitch right now if needed.
“If the Los Angeles Dodgers actually needed him, Shohei Ohtani could step on the mound right now and contribute, according to a person close to Ohtani, but his return is looking like it may come closer to the All-Star break,” wrote Nightengale.
Ohtani won the National League Most Valuable Player Award in 2024 and did not throw a single pitch. He has been working to get back on the mound, where he can dominate in a different way for the Dodgers.
In 2022, Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award voting. From 2021-2023 Ohtani has started 74 games with a 2.84 ERA and 542. The Dodgers rotation already features Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rōki Sasaki and Dustin May. Adding Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw to that group could make the Dodgers even better than they already are.
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The Dodgers have a surplus of starting pitchers, so they are not in a rush to bring Ohtani back. When Ohtani is ready to pitch again, the Dodgers will likely have to make some tough decisions, such as moving players to the bullpen or making some trades.
Dustin May has looked good in his first two starts, but can the Dodgers justify keeping him in the rotation when Ohtani is back. The Dodgers also have guys like River Ryan, Landon Knack and Bobby Miller who are capable of starting games. Having depth is good in case the Dodgers suffer multiple injuries, but when Ohtani is ready to pitch, the Dodgers could look to trade some arms for offense.
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