Dodgers Cautiously Eye Ohtani Return to Rotation

Ohtani is ramping back with bullpen sessions, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says it is too early to expect a return to the rotation next week, with a fluid plan as he monitors the left knee irritation that has sidelined him since early July. The team has prioritized his health and his contributions at the plate, with repeated emphasis that lineup value heavily informs when he pitches again. His recent bullpen work included a 30-plus pitch session and a 34-pitch appearance testing his arsenal, viewed as positive progress but not a rush to return. The Dodgers, atop the NL and pursuing an October run, remain cautious about his pitching role while continuing to use him as the leadoff hitter with power to preserve him for the postseason. Ongoing discussion about his two-way status and the possibility of limiting pitching in the future to protect long-term health and value continues, alongside broader interest in his legacy as a two-way star.