Ohtani poised for one-inning opener return as Dodgers manage rotation depth

Shohei Ohtani is on the verge of returning to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, with manager Dave Roberts indicating the two-way star could serve as a one-inning opener on Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. The decision is contingent on a bullpen session scheduled for Friday, which will assess Ohtani’s readiness following a layoff that has kept him from pitching since July 3.

If Ohtani clears the hurdle, he will hand over to Tyler Glasnow, who reportedly remains scheduled for the start after returning from back spasms on Tuesday. Should Ohtani not be ready, the Dodgers will proceed with a traditional start by Glasnow. This structure allows the team to manage workload while maintaining their planned rotation depth.

Ohtani’s absence from the mound stems from a knee issue that also caused a minor problem with his biceps. Despite the pitching hiatus, he has continued to play nearly every day as a designated hitter, remaining locked in a race for the National League MVP award with Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.

The Dodgers have deliberately avoided a minor league rehab assignment for Ohtani, a decision that diverges from standard practice for a pitcher missing nearly two months. By keeping Ohtani in the majors, the team preserves its most important bat in the lineup while he builds his arm back up. This approach mirrors his recovery from internal brace surgery last year, where he also returned with a gradual, inning-by-inning progression.

However, the timeline for this return is compressed compared to last year’s recovery, which spanned more than two months. With the playoffs only five weeks away, the Dodgers have limited time to integrate Ohtani fully into their plans. It remains unclear exactly how he will figure into the postseason, though the team has clearly prioritized having a fully functional Ohtani ready for October.

The Dodgers already possess a strong starting rotation featuring Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Blake Snell, and Glasnow. Nevertheless, the strategic decision to manage Ohtani’s return in the majors reflects a balance between immediate lineup value and long-term postseason readiness.