Event
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Shohei Ohtani could return to pitching on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers, serving as an opener for one inning before Tyler Glasnow. Ohtani, who has not pitched since July 3 due to a knee and biceps issue, will throw a bullpen session on Friday to assess his readiness. This gradual return mirrors his recovery from surgery last year, with the team avoiding a minor league rehab assignment to keep him in the lineup as a designated hitter.
2 published stories · shohei-ohtani · source reliability 33%
Shohei Ohtani may pitch one inning before Tyler Glasnow on Sunday, a gradual approach that keeps the two-way star in the lineup while the Dodgers navigate a tight postseason timeline.
Background
Shohei Ohtani is preparing for a gradual return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having missed time since July 3 due to left knee irritation and a minor biceps issue. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Ohtani may serve as a one-inning opener against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, followed by Tyler Glasnow. This approach mirrors his previous recovery from surgery, where the team avoided a minor league rehab assignment to keep him in the lineup as a designated hitter. The decision is contingent on a Friday bullpen session to assess his readiness.
Shohei Ohtani is preparing for a gradual return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers, having missed time since July 3 due to left knee irritation and a minor biceps issue. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Ohtani may serve as a one-inning opener against the Detroit Tigers on Sund
Fact cards
Key entities: Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers, Tyler Glasnow, Dave Roberts, Detroit Tigers, Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Who is scheduled to pitch after Shohei Ohtani? Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to follow Ohtani if he takes the mound. Why is Ohtani returning as an opener rather than a starter? The team is using a gradual approach to manage his knee and biceps recovery, similar to his return from su
Yahoo Sports | https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/shohei-ohtani-could-return-to-pitching-sunday-as-an-opener-in-front-of-tyler-glasnow-214103803.html | published 2026-08-26T21:41:03.000Z | primary source | Yahoo Sports | https://dodgersnation.com/dodgers-set-tentative-date-for-
2026-05-08: Tyler Glasnow placed on the 60-day injured list due to low back spasms. 2026-05-09: Blake Snell makes his season debut before being sidelined by loose bodies in his left elbow. 2026-07-03: Shohei Ohtani last pitched before experiencing left knee irritation. Pre-All-St
Timeline
Tyler Glasnow placed on the 60-day injured list due to low back spasms.
Blake Snell makes his season debut before being sidelined by loose bodies in his left elbow.
Shohei Ohtani last pitched before experiencing left knee irritation.
Ohtani receives a lubricant injection for his knee.
Ohtani scheduled to throw a bullpen session to assess readiness for Sunday's start.
Ohtani poised to pitch one inning as an opener against the Detroit Tigers.
FAQ
Tyler Glasnow is scheduled to follow Ohtani if he takes the mound.
The team is using a gradual approach to manage his knee and biceps recovery, similar to his return from surgery last year.
A bullpen session on Friday will assess his readiness; if he is not ready, the Dodgers will proceed with a traditional start by Glasnow.
To keep Ohtani in the lineup as a designated hitter while he recovers.
As early as Sunday, when the Dodgers close out a series against the Detroit Tigers.
Left knee irritation, which required a lubricant injection before the All-Star Break.
One or two innings, similar to his previous recovery from a torn UCL.
He is scheduled for a second rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma.