The Los Angeles Dodgers’ starting pitching has taken a hit in recent weeks with Blake Snell (left shoulder inflammation) and now Tyler Glasnow (right shoulder inflammation) landing on the 15-day injured list.
Even with Tony Gonsolin making his 2025 debut on Wednesday, the Dodgers will presumably need to continue relying on bullpen games or spot starts for the foreseeable future.
The Dodgers will eventually get a major reinforcement in Shohei Ohtani, who has been throwing off a mound two times per week ahead of returning to the mound this season. However, the two-way star is still months away from making his pitching debut with L.A.
Although they are in need of starting pitching, the Dodgers are not considering speeding up Ohtani’s pitching schedule.
“No, no. Not at all,” manager Dave Roberts said of the possibility. “I think Shohei is separate as far as the process. I think Gomer said it, it’s a week-to-week thing. The availability of the other pitchers has no bearing on Shohei’s program.”
When recently discussing his progress, Ohtani shared a hope to soon take another step forward by facing batters. However, he also expressed an understanding with how cautious the Dodgers have been with handling his schedule.
Ohtani was limited to throwing fastballs (two-seam, four-seam and cutter) in his bullpens early on, but started incorporating splitters for the first time during a bullpen session on April 5.
Ohtani still has to utilize his slider in bullpen sessions, which he will likely do before progressing to facing hitters.
Dodgers still ‘guessing’ with Shohei Ohtani
Roberts clarified that the estimate he provided of Ohtani not taking the mound for another couple months has more to do with where he is in the recovery at present time and that it could potentially change.
During the offseason Roberts suggested Ohtani would make his Dodgers pitching debut around May, though he has since acknowledged that was a bullish projection.
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