Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani won't return to pitching duties on Sunday in Detroit or Tuesday at home, manager Dave Roberts revealed following Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Tigers.
Roberts added that he didn't know when Ohtani would be ready for his next start. While he's not being shut down entirely, the Dodgers and four-time MVP will determine his next steps after they return to L.A. next week.
"I don't think that we've made that decision yet," Roberts said about possibly ending Ohtani's pitching season, according to ESPN's Alden González. "I think for us, it's: Take tomorrow off the table, let's get back to L.A, let's kind of figure out where his body is at, and then go from there."
Ohtani, who hasn't made a start since July 3 due to both a lingering knee issue and bicep soreness, threw a bullpen session at Comerica Park on Friday in hopes of opening Sunday ahead of Tyler Glasnow. However, Roberts revealed earlier Saturday that Ohtani wasn't pain-free during the session. The skipper added postgame that Ohtani's experiencing "overall body" soreness.
"If any pitcher was feeling like this, we wouldn't run him out there," Roberts said. "So that's what we're doing."
The 32-year-old was enjoying a brilliant season on the mound before the injuries halted his pitching. In 85 2/3 innings this year, Ohtani owns a 1.79 ERA, 2.59 FIP, and 0.95 WHIP, along with 95 strikeouts and only four home runs allowed.
Ohtani's problems haven't hampered his hitting abilities, as he's remained the team's everyday DH. As a hitter, he's slashing .283/.383/.535 with 30 homers, 80 RBIs, and 10 steals over 577 plate appearances.
"His value offensively is hugely important, and so we can't compromise that in any fashion," Roberts said. "If throwing potentially cuts into that, that's not worth the squeeze."
With Ohtani still not ready to pitch, the Dodgers' rotation will continue to include Eric Lauer in the No. 5 spot, behind Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, and Blake Snell.
Glasnow will start Sunday's series finale against the Tigers.
