Shohei Ohtani Makes Mysterious Decision Days Before Dodgers Pitching Return
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani looks to be close to a pitching return, but his final step before returning to the mound had an unexpected twist.
Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani seems poised for a return to the pitching mound, but a recent decision added an unexpected element to the plan. The 20-year-old athlete had been performing well, participating in bullpen sessions and facing hitters in live batting practice. The anticipated date for Ohtani's return was August 30th, the final game of their current road trip in Detroit.
If progress remained steady, Sunday would have been the day for his first start since an extended absence. However, Ohtani's final bullpen session on Friday was brief, consisting of only 20 pitches, far fewer than his usual 30+. Manager Dave Roberts stated that Ohtani chose to end the session early, but provided no further explanation.
The Dodgers have a contingency plan in place should Ohtani not be ready for his start. Tyler Glasnow is set to handle the bulk of the workload on Sunday, either as a relief pitcher or starting pitcher, depending on Ohtani's condition. The team is cautiously monitoring Ohtani's progress, with manager Roberts expressing the intention to wait and observe on Saturday before making a final decision.
Regardless of when Ohtani ultimately returns, he will likely pitch only an inning or two, gradually easing himself back into action. The Dodgers' cautious approach aims to prevent a potential longer setback.
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