The Los Angeles Dodgers anticipate two-way star Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound in September, provided he avoids any setbacks from lingering left knee and right biceps issues, according to a report Sunday.
USA Today columnist Bob Nightengale indicated the club expects Ohtani to pitch again before the regular season ends. The update comes as Ohtani continues working through a careful progression after more than a month away from game action as a pitcher.
Ohtani last pitched July 3 against the San Diego Padres, when he threw six innings and a season-high 110 pitches in a 4-3 Dodgers victory. He left that game with right biceps discomfort after feeling it during an at-bat and has not returned to the mound since.
The left knee inflammation first surfaced in mid-June and affected his mechanics, contributing to the biceps tightness as he compensated. Ohtani received a lubricant injection in the knee around the All-Star break in an effort to ease the discomfort.
Despite the pitching absence, Ohtani has remained a fixture in the Dodgers’ lineup as the designated hitter. He entered Sunday batting .289 with 27 home runs, 75 RBIs and a .931 OPS across 114 games.
On the mound this season, Ohtani posted an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA over 14 starts. He recorded 95 strikeouts in 85 2/3 innings with a 0.95 WHIP before the shutdown.
The Dodgers have taken a measured approach, prioritizing Ohtani’s long-term health and readiness for October. Manager Dave Roberts has repeatedly stressed that the training staff and Ohtani himself are driving the timeline.
Ohtani resumed throwing in early August after a multiweek pause. He progressed to long toss exceeding 200 feet and recently completed bullpen sessions, including one of 34 pitches that mixed his full repertoire under the observation of front-office personnel.
General manager Brandon Gomes said the organization still believes Ohtani can pitch in a major league game before the regular season concludes. Further bullpens, live batting practice sessions and gradual buildup would follow if he responds well without added soreness.
A September return would allow Ohtani a handful of appearances to rebuild arm strength and stamina ahead of the postseason. The Dodgers have used him as an opener in prior comebacks, starting with one or two innings and expanding from there.
Los Angeles sits first in the National League West at 74-50, eight games ahead of both the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. The club has navigated various pitching injuries throughout the year while maintaining one of the league’s stronger records.
Ohtani’s dual contributions remain central to the Dodgers’ championship aspirations. His elite production as a hitter has kept the offense potent even without his pitching, but the staff would gain a significant boost from his return.
Nightengale’s report aligns with earlier comments from Ohtani and team officials expressing optimism about a late-season mound appearance. Ohtani has said the priority is ensuring the knee continues improving so he does not alter his delivery in ways that risk further arm strain.
The two-way standout, a four-time MVP, entered the year aiming for both strong offensive numbers and a potential Cy Young contender campaign. While the pitching interruption has complicated those dual pursuits, a healthy September return could still position him as a major factor in October.
Dodgers officials have emphasized caution after an earlier attempt to ramp up produced a setback. They prefer a deliberate buildup over forcing a premature return that might limit Ohtani later.
If Ohtani clears the remaining checkpoints without issues, he could begin appearing in games during the first half of September. That window would provide enough time for progressive increases in pitch count while keeping his bat in the everyday lineup.
The anticipation surrounding Ohtani’s potential return underscores his unique value. Few players in baseball history have sustained high-level performance as both a hitter and pitcher, and the Dodgers are managing his recovery with that rarity in mind.
As the regular season enters its final six weeks, all eyes remain on Ohtani’s next steps. The club’s belief in a September pitching return offers encouragement that the two-way threat could soon reemerge fully for a team built to contend deep into the fall.
