LOS ANGELES, California — The Los Angeles Dodgers are facing one of the most important decisions of the final stretch of the season as the team confirmed plans to return Shohei Ohtani to his pitching role after a long period of being limited on the mound.
The move immediately attracted the attention of the entire baseball world, as the return of the two way superstar could have a major impact on the Dodgers’ ambition to defend their World Series championship.
After several weeks of monitoring the condition of his left knee, the Los Angeles coaching staff believes Ohtani is getting closer to the point where he can return as a starting pitcher.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani will continue rebuilding his pitching ability through bullpen sessions and live batting practice before the team makes a final decision.
If everything goes smoothly, Sunday’s game against the Detroit Tigers is considered the earliest possible time for the Japanese superstar to return to the mound during the 2026 season.
This is the moment Dodgers fans have been waiting for, as Ohtani has not made a start as a pitcher since July 3 due to inflammation in his left knee.
During his absence from the mound, Ohtani continued contributing to the Dodgers as a designated hitter and maintained impressive offensive production.
This season, he owns notable statistics with a .288 batting average, a .389 on base percentage, a .935 OPS, along with 30 home runs and 80 RBI.
However, for a unique player like Ohtani, only playing one side of the game means his value is not as complete as originally expected.
His return to the mound not only carries professional significance but could also completely change the National League MVP race, where Ohtani is competing against several other stars.
Inside the Dodgers organization, the front office understands that they cannot rush a player as important as Ohtani.
Instead of forcing him to return too early, Los Angeles has chosen a cautious approach to ensure their superstar can reach his best condition before entering the postseason stage.
Dave Roberts emphasized that the goal is not only to bring Ohtani back to the field, but also to make sure he can perform consistently over an extended period.
“I’m really excited to compete again. I miss the feeling of standing on the mound and battling with my teammates. But I also understand that the most important thing is returning at the right time and helping the team when we need it the most.”
That message showed Ohtani’s patience throughout the recovery process, even though he has always been the type of player who wants to be on the field for every game.
For the Dodgers, Ohtani’s return will provide a special addition to the roster as the season enters its decisive stage.
A pitcher capable of making a difference on the mound, combined with one of the best offensive forces in MLB, could become a weapon that every postseason opponent must fear.
However, Los Angeles also understands that Ohtani’s return must be carefully managed. In his first start, he will likely have an innings limit as he gradually rebuilds his competitive rhythm.
With the remaining time before the postseason, the Dodgers are hoping Ohtani has enough time to build his strength and return to the complete version of one of the most unique players in baseball history.
After months of waiting, Los Angeles fans finally have a reason to believe that the moment Shohei Ohtani returns to the mound is getting very close.
