Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers’ superstar two-way player, began the season on the mound and managed to stay healthy through the first half. However, his last start was on July 3, and he has been sidelined with injuries since. He initially was scheduled to start just before the All-Star break but was scratched due to biceps and knee issues. Nearly two months later, left knee inflammation has kept him off the mound.
In his 14 starts prior to his injury, Ohtani logged 85 â…” innings with an 8-2 record and a 1.79 ERA, fanning 95 and walking 26. Those numbers indicated what could have been the best pitching season of his storied career. He has not pitched in almost two months, and although there had been reports that he might return to the mound around August 30, manager Dave Roberts recently indicated otherwise, dashing that particular timeline.
Heading into September, the possibility remains that Ohtani could return to pitching in time for the postseason. Despite the setback on the mound, he has continued to contribute at the plate. Since his last pitching appearance, Ohtani has appeared in 196 plate appearances and posted a .274/.347/.560 slash line with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs, producing elite-level hitting numbers typical of his career profile. There is some question, however, whether the knee issue might be affecting him at the plate as well. Even if he does not pitch on Sunday, there is ample time to ramp up before the playoffs begin.
As the Dodgers push toward their postseason goals, the combination of a strong lead in the division, solid contributions from a deep lineup, and a weathered but capable pitching staff will be critical. The team’s ability to navigate injuries and maintain momentum entering September could shape their run through the remainder of the season and into October.
