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Shohei Ohtani Returns to Dodgers Lineup as Designated Hitter, Pitching Outlook Uncertain
Confirmed
In Short: Dodgers manager Dave Roberts discusses Ohtani's return and the team's decision to pause his throwing program.
Shohei Ohtani returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup as a designated hitter on Monday night, marking his first appearance since a four-day break to address lingering injuries. Manager Dave Roberts, however, remains cautious about Ohtani's pitching prospects, stating that the team has 'put a pin in throwing' and has no timetable for resuming his throwing regimen.
Roberts emphasized that Ohtani's return to hitting is a priority, hoping to help the two-way superstar get back on track after a period where he appeared less effective at the plate. 'We’ve put a pin in throwing,' Roberts said, 'and just having him focus on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win.
Despite the pause in throwing, Ohtani's thoughts remain private, and he hasn't spoken to the media since August. The Dodgers are optimistic about Ohtani's hitting performance, with Roberts noting that the player is 'happy' to be back in the lineup and 'completely fine' about not pitching for the foreseeable future.
The Dodgers won all four games during Ohtani's absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals. By taking pitching off Ohtani's plate, the team hopes to see him perform better at the plate and contribute more effectively to the team's success.
What's confirmed
- "Hopefully, we don’t see that wincing we saw a handful of nights ago," manager Dave Roberts said before the game, referring to Ohtani appearing physically compromised at the plate before his break.
- Shohei Ohtani was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers ' lineup as designated hitter on Monday night after a four-day break to deal with lingering left knee, right biceps and neck soreness.
- He was in his usual leadoff spot for the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds.
- The NL West-leading Dodgers won all four games during Ohtani’s absence, including a sweep of the Washington Nationals.
- Even with Ohtani’s return as a hitter, it appears increasingly unlikely that the two-way superstar will pitch again this season.
- "We’ve put a pin in throwing," Roberts said, "and just having him focus on the hitting, the running, keeping his legs good and doing whatever it takes to help us win." Asked to define "put a pin in throwing," Roberts said "it’s not dead but we have no timetable for when he’s going to pick up a baseball." Why not just say Ohtani won't pitch again?
- Ohtani's thoughts remain private since he hasn't spoken to the media since Aug.
- Roberts described Ohtani as "happy" to be back in the lineup while being "completely fine" about tabling any pitching plans for now.
What's still developing
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