The Los Angeles Dodgers know they have to be cautious regarding Shohei Ohtani and his pitching schedule this season. He will only hit for Japan at the upcoming World Baseball Classic, but Los Angeles plans to have him work in the rotation once he returns.
Ohtani has not pitched for the Dodgers since 2024 when he underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum. Dodgers insider Katie Woo reported on Thursday that his pitching schedule this season will be different compared to other pitchers around baseball.
“Ohtani is expected to start in the Dodgers rotation come Opening Day but won’t be used on a traditional five-day rest schedule,” Woo wrote for The Athletic. “It’s a position manager Dave Roberts has held firm on since December. The Dodgers will likely give Ohtani built-in rest days between starts, at least through the first month of the regular season, as he works his way back to a standard workload. Ohtani could see six to eight days between starts, depending on his durability and the rotation’s makeup.”
The Dodgers know they have to be careful with Ohtani, but they also know they can afford to increase the time between starts. Los Angeles has one of the strongest rotations in baseball even with Blake Snell’s latest injury. Ohtani’s ability to pitch again simply adds even more to their pitching group.
It’s going to take time for Ohtani to return to his old self on the mound, and the Dodgers should prepare for shorter starts in the beginning from him. As the season progresses, expect Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior to stretch him deeper into games.