Overview
- Manager Dave Roberts said Friday that Shohei Ohtani is playing catch and could throw a bullpen session soon, but the club has not set a date for his next start.
- Ohtani has not pitched since early July after left‑knee irritation tied to his two‑way workload required conservative treatment including an Orthovisc injection and periodic rest.
- The team plans a staged return that may include multiple bullpen sessions and short, two‑inning starts rather than a long outing or a minor‑league rehab assignment.
- Dodgers additions and returns to the rotation, including Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell and the expected return of Tyler Glasnow, give Los Angeles the depth to avoid rushing Ohtani back to the mound.
- Keeping Ohtani in the lineup as the everyday designated hitter preserves his offensive value while the club monitors symptoms and rechecks him before the upcoming road trip to Colorado.