Roberts: Ohtani Won't Rejoin Dodgers Rotation Next Week
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- Dave Roberts said Ohtani won't return to the Dodgers' rotation by next week, telling reporters "it's not about July, it's about October" despite a bullpen scheduled for Saturday at Citi Field.
- Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3 due to left knee irritation but remains in the lineup as designated hitter, batting .283 with 22 homers, 60 RBIs and a .917 OPS this season.
- Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85⅔ innings over 14 starts, having won his past six decisions before the knee issue shut down his pitching.
- Ohtani received a lubricant injection just before the All-Star break and threw about 30 pitches off a mound Wednesday in Philadelphia, with Roberts saying the plan is to "remain nimble."
- Blake Snell is scheduled for a second rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Friday, with Roberts hoping to see him log three innings; the two-time Cy Young winner has been sidelined since his May 9 season debut due to loose bodies in his left elbow.
- Edwin Díaz is expected to rejoin the Dodgers on Tuesday when they return home after back-to-back rehab appearances for Oklahoma City, recovering from right elbow surgery.
Why it matters: The Dodgers entered Friday at 65-38 with an 11-game NL West lead, giving them rare room to be patient with Ohtani's pitching return while also tracking Snell, Díaz, and Glasnow — a potential October rotation that could reshape the Dodgers' title defense if all four are healthy by the playoffs.
