Overview
- Manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that shutting Ohtani down from pitching for the rest of the 2026 season is “an option” while the team evaluates his progress.
- Ohtani has not pitched in a major-league game since July 3 because of left-knee inflammation and right-biceps discomfort, and a shortened roughly 20-pitch bullpen last week produced enough soreness to pause a planned abbreviated start.
- President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman has told reporters the Dodgers will continue a day-by-day throwing progression and remain hopeful he can pitch again this year, possibly in a limited playoff role.
- The Dodgers expect Ohtani to stay in the lineup as the designated hitter and have ruled out moving him to a corner outfield position at this time.
- The club must weigh the incremental value of any mound innings against the risk to Ohtani’s hitting and long-term health while relying on a deep rotation that could lessen the team’s need for his arm in October.