Rotation Depth Crumbles
The Dodgers rotation takes another massive hit as Roki Sasaki heads to the injured list, per CBS Sports MLB. This blow arrives just as the team faces a critical decision regarding Shohei Ohtani’s potential return to the mound. The situation creates a precarious balance between immediate roster needs and long-term player health. Manager Dave Roberts must now navigate a complex path where every inning thrown carries significant weight. The team cannot afford another setback when the stakes are this high.
NY Post Sports says Shohei Ohtani seems improbable to return as a pitcher for the Dodgers this Sunday. After a Friday bullpen session, he told training staff he did not feel 100% yet. This hesitation forces the organization to reconsider its entire approach to his rehab timeline. The window for a September push is narrowing fast if they keep waiting for perfection.
The Hard Choices Ahead
Manager Dave Roberts laid out the brutal reality facing the club in a direct statement to reporters. “That’s the hard part right now, is trying to figure out if he’s not 100% with the overall body, is it worth giving him an inning to build up or not,” Roberts said. The Dodgers are stuck weighing the immediate need for a starter against the risk of re-injury. According to NY Post Sports, Ohtani’s recent left knee and right biceps problems remain unhealed. Since July 3, Ohtani has not made a pitching start, creating a gaping hole in the rotation.
Roberts said the team must be very careful with his health while attempting to return him to play. “So I think that’s kind of where we’re at right now, trying to weigh the positives and negatives,” he explained. The team knows that rushing him could cost them more than just one game. Should Ohtani not start Sunday, Tyler Glasnow is lined up by the Dodgers to pitch instead if needed. Yet, missing Sunday also makes it unlikely the right-hander would pitch immediately in the opening game of the team’s homestand next Tuesday.
The manager emphasized that Ohtani’s bat remains the priority for the lineup. “His value offensively is hugely important,” Roberts stated. “So if throwing potentially cuts into that, that’s not worth the squeeze.” Ohtani has continued to serve as the Dodgers’ everyday designated hitter, proving his worth without the mound. Delaying his mound return reduces the time available to increase his pitch count before the regular season ends. To prevent disaster, Roberts noted the club would postpone Ohtani’s pitching comeback further down the road.
The Risk Is Too High
The Dodgers must stop pretending that a one-inning appearance is a safe solution for Ohtani. The physical toll of pitching is distinct from hitting, and his body is already sending warning signs. Pushing him now for a single inning risks derailing the entire season if the knee or biceps flare up again. The front office needs to prioritize the championship window over a premature return that could backfire spectacularly. Sasaki’s injury removes the safety net, making Ohtani’s health even more critical. The team cannot gamble with a player who offers so much more at the plate.
Roberts admitted the uncertainty surrounding Ohtani’s readiness after the Friday session. “When I was facing the first hitter in the fourth inning, I actually didn’t feel anything coming beforehand,” Ohtani noted regarding his previous outing. This lack of clarity suggests the return date is far from set in stone.
The smart play is to let Ohtani focus entirely on his batting while the rest of the rotation absorbs the load. Rushing a two-way player who is not fully healed is a recipe for a longer absence. The Dodgers need to accept that the rotation will be imperfect rather than risking the star’s long-term viability. The cost of getting it wrong is simply too high for a team with World Series aspirations.
