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After starting the season as one of the top favorites, and with a record of 11-5 through this Sunday's games, the Los Angeles Dodgers could finally enjoy the dual threat of Shohei Ohtani, something they've been waiting for for a long time.
It's not that Dave Roberts needs another pitcher-just look at his rotation-but the truth is that if the Japanese star returns to the mound, the reigning champions will be more fearsome than ever.
Shohei Ohtani is close to pitching again
According to Bob Nightingale of USA Today, the Dodgers' star player may be close to returning to the mound, or could even do so now if necessary.
'If the Los Angeles Dodgers actually needed him, Shohei Ohtani could step on the mound right now and contribute, according to a person close to Ohtani, but his return is looking like it may come closer to the All-Star break,' Nightingale wrote.
Ohtani won the Most Valuable Player award in 2024 without throwing a single pitch. For some time now, he has been working to return to the mound, where he could be a key piece for a Dodgers team that already has impressive pitching depth.
In 2022, Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young voting. Between 2021 and 2023, he started 74 games with a 2.84 ERA and 542 strikeouts.
The Dodgers' rotation already includes Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Rki Sasaki, and Dustin May. Adding Ohtani would make their starting staff utterly dominant.
Even so, the Dodgers are in no rush to bring Ohtani back to pitching. In fact, they've been very patient, though when he's ready, they'll need to make decisions about moving a pitcher to the bullpen or making a trade.
Dustin May has performed wonderfully in his last two starts, but it's hard to imagine they'll keep him in the starting rotation once Ohtani returns. There are also other pieces that could bolster the pitching staff, but the truth is, it doesn't seem like a bad idea to try strengthening the offense.