Shohei Ohtani just wrapped up another bullpen session, and everybody wants to know if he is starting on Sunday. The answer is messy. Manager Dave Roberts admitted he didn't even watch the session live, leaving the team's pitching plans hanging in the balance as August winds down.
When you look closely at Ohtani's rehab timeline, the uncertainty isn't an accident. It is standard operating procedure for a franchise protecting a generational two-way superstar.
Inside the Bullpen Session
Ohtani tossed roughly 20 pitches off the mound. For anyone tracking his recovery from a left knee injury that sidelined him from pitching since July 3, numbers matter.
- Pitch Count: ~20 pitches total.
- Context: Short, controlled side session.
- Status: Evaluated day-to-day by coaching staff.
Dave Roberts kept his cards close to his chest when reporters swarmed him before a series opener. He noted he needed to debrief with pitching coach Mark Prior and Ohtani himself before committing to a Sunday return. That lack of an immediate green light frustrates fans, but it makes total sense.
Why the Dodgers Are Being Careful
Ohtani carries an 8-2 record with a blistering 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts across 85 2/3 innings this season. Meanwhile, he has slugged 30 home runs and driven in 80 runs as the everyday designated hitter.
You do not rush a guy like that back into a high-leverage rotation slot unless every single box is checked. His knee has been a lingering variable all summer. Even though his bat remains a terrifying weapon for opposing pitchers, throwing max-effort fastballs places entirely different mechanical stresses on the lower half.
If you throw him out there too early on Sunday without proper recovery tracking, you risk losing both his arm and his rhythm heading into October.
The Broader Rotation Puzzle
Los Angeles is managing a crowded training room and high expectations. The front office knows that adding a healthy Ohtani back into the starting rotation completely alters the National League playoff landscape.
Instead of forcing a rushed appearance this weekend, the smarter play is mapping out a progression that includes facing live hitters. Dave Roberts and his staff understand that a September ramp-up is more than enough time to get Ohtani stretched out for postseason baseball.
Watch how he responds to the physical feedback from this latest throwing session. That reaction will dictate the next move far better than any tentative pre-game schedule. Stop trying to guess the exact calendar date. Pay attention to how his body responds instead.
