Shohei Ohtani's return to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers has hit a setback, with manager Dave Roberts saying the two-way star is not fully recovered, according to ｄメニューニュース. Roberts indicated that Ohtani's comeback is effectively back to square one, and he declined to describe the pitcher's status as certain.
The report, published Sunday, quotes Roberts as saying Ohtani is "not 100%" in his recovery. This update comes as Ohtani has been held out of the starting lineup for three consecutive games, per Sports Hochi. The manager's comments suggest the team is taking a cautious approach rather than rushing the former MVP back to the mound.
Roberts also addressed the decision to keep Ohtani off the injured list, a move that has drawn criticism from some U.S. reporters. ｄメニューニュース notes that one American journalist called the reasoning "ridiculous," pointing out that Ohtani's situation differs from other players due to a specific contractual or roster detail—referred to as the "5" in the report. The exact nature of that detail was not fully explained in the available material.
Meanwhile, Jiji Press reports that Ohtani participated in batting practice as part of his ongoing adjustment, suggesting he remains active at the plate even as his pitching timeline remains unclear. Roberts also acknowledged a possible misunderstanding with Ohtani over the decision to sit him from games, according to Baseball Channel via Yahoo! News.
What to watch next: Whether the Dodgers place Ohtani on the injured list or continue managing his workload day by day as he works back toward pitching form.
