Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani nearly ready for final MVP push vs. Pete Crow-Armstrong

The Los Angeles Dodgers are nearly ready to bring Shohei Ohtani back to the mound. Ohtani could be back pitching for the Dodgers as soon as next week, per The Athletic.

“Shohei Ohtani will throw one more bullpen in Atlanta, Dave Roberts said, before deciding if he’ll throw another live or pitch in a game. Ohtani could be back on a major-league mound as early as next week,” reporter Katie Woo posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Sunday.

Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game for weeks as he has been dealing with knee issues. The Dodgers star has been hitting, though, and the team has wanted to monitor his health.

When it comes to pitching, the Dodgers have a plethora of riches.

“Related: Eric Lauer is shifting to the bullpen in long relief. He’ll be available out of the ‘pen starting Tuesday. Will keep him fresh as the piggyback option when Ohtani returns,” Woo added. “Dodgers will go Glasnow, Sasaki, Yamamoto vs. the Braves.”

The Dodgers added even more power to their rotation by trading for Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline. Skubal picked up his first win with the Dodgers on Saturday, over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a healthy Ohtani, this Dodgers rotation is absolutely staggering.

“If it were up to Shohei,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, per MLB.com, “he’d be in a game in a few days.”

This season on the mound Ohtani has posted a 1.79 ERA. He has posted eight victories. A number of MLB analysts believe Ohtani will win MVP in the National League if he is able to return to the mound before the end of the regular season.

Los Angeles is first in the National League West this season. The Dodgers are 79-51 on the season, heading into Sunday. L.A. looks to sweep a series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

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