Ohtani pitching return remains unclear amid Dodgers cautious buildup

Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound remains uncertain for the Dodgers, as he reported not feeling 100% after a bullpen session and both his left knee and right biceps are not fully healed. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team will be extremely cautious, prioritizing his value as a hitter over pushing for a risky pitching return. The next step hinges on conversations with Ohtani and pitching coach Mark Prior, with Sunday still a possibility but no guarantee, and even if he pitches, it would likely be only one inning. Recent bullpen work has been shorter than usual, around 20 pitches, leaving the team without a clear read on readiness and leading to flexible scheduling for a potential Sunday start or a later return. The Dodgers have discussed lining up subsequent appearances around his recovery, potentially using him as an opener if he does return on Detroit’s schedule, and there is ongoing speculation about how many innings he can build up before the postseason. Overall, the plan remains to gather more information before deciding whether Ohtani can contribute on the mound in the near term, with a decision likely to come after further talks and assessments.