Dodgers Considering Starting Shohei Ohtani Against Tigers Next Week
Shohei Ohtani has not started a game on the mound since July 3
The Los Angeles Dodgers are contemplating fielding their star designated hitter, Shohei Ohtani, as a starter in Sunday's series finale against the Detroit Tigers. Ohtani, who has been sidelined due to a knee injury, recently completed a 30-pitch live session on Saturday and is nearing his return to the rotation. The club, however, has not yet settled on a specific starter for the game, according to multiple sources familiar with the team's plans.
Ohtani's potential appearance as the starter would be a significant development, reminiscent of last season's buildup when he returned to pitching. Sending an elite hitter such as Ohtani on a rehab assignment would mean losing one of their best offensive options. If Ohtani were to start and pitch an inning against the Tigers, it could serve as a test run for his full return to the rotation.
Currently, the Dodgers' rotation consists of Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani, Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow, who is expected to return to the team this week. Ohtani, who has a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts this season, has gone at least six innings in all but one of his outings. A return of Ohtani would bolster the Dodgers' pitching staff and potentially propel him to MVP contention.
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