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The Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts are grappling with a major dilemma regarding their star player, Shohei Ohtani, who hasn't pitched in a game for quite some time. The Japanese sensation recently completed a simulated session of about 50 pitches, awaiting the green light to reclaim his role as the two-way threat he's been since entering Major League Baseball.
However, the final decision rests with his manager, who appears uncertain about the next steps.
Dave Roberts Unsure of "Next Step" for Ohtani
Roberts recently addressed the possibility of Ohtani returning to the mound, a sight all Dodgers fans are eager to witness.
"Mark Prior (Dodgers pitching coach) said it was a good session," Roberts stated. "Again, I don't know what the next step is. What I do know is that we're moving forward. That he continues to feel strong and healthy, and that he can keep increasing his workload, is a positive. I just don't know what the next step is right now."
For many, it's concerning that a manager lacks clarity on the plan for one of his top players, and this uncertainty could spark frustration among fans, especially since Roberts has frequently faced criticism during his tenure with the team.
According to reports, Ohtani has been avoiding breaking pitches during training sessions, though Roberts emphasized that incorporating them is necessary to face hitters.
The best-case scenario for the Dodgers would be seeing Ohtani back on the mound after the All-Star Game, which is the tentative timeline set for his return.
It's worth noting that Ohtani hasn't pitched in a game since August 2023, making his comeback highly anticipated by Dodgers fans.
Throughout his career, Ohtani boasts a 3.01 ERA and a 38-19 record as a pitcher. In 2022, he finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting with a career-low 2.33 ERA and a personal-best 166 innings pitched.
Even without pitching, Ohtani remains a force for the Dodgers, currently leading MLB with 51 runs scored and 17 home runs, while his 125 total bases top the National League.