The Los Angeles Dodgers are taking the long view with Shohei Ohtani’s recovery, opting to delay his return to the mound until after the All-Star break. And given the way he’s producing at the plate, it’s hard to argue with the logic.
Ohtani, who is working his way back from a second Tommy John surgery, remains firmly in the MVP conversation even while serving solely as a designated hitter. In his first full season with the Dodgers, he has already delivered a string of clutch performances and is batting well over .300 with power and speed—reminding the league that even at half capacity, he’s still one of baseball’s most electrifying forces.
“There’s no sense in hurrying him to the mound,” writes Bob Nightengale of USA Today, echoing the organization’s measured approach.
Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani Vs Barry Bonds
Manager Dave Roberts took his praise a step further, comparing Ohtani to one of the game’s all-time greats.
“Between him and Barry Bonds, they’re the two best players I’ve ever seen,” Roberts said. “I played with Barry. But what Shohei does in the clutch, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
That kind of praise—from someone who shared a clubhouse with Bonds—underscores the historic nature of Ohtani’s talent.
With a deep starting rotation and a roster built to contend deep into October, the Dodgers have the luxury of patience. If Ohtani’s return to pitching matches the level of his hitting, Los Angeles could become nearly untouchable when the games matter most.