Why the Dodgers’ Temptation to Rush Shohei Ohtani Could Backfire Spectacularly
Easy does it.
Shohei Ohtani surprised some this week by mixing in sliders and curveballs during his midweek bullpen outing, a small but telling sign he’s tinkering beyond the fastballs and splitters that have defined his limited work on the mound lately. Yet, before anyone starts penciling him in as the Dodgers’ full-time two-way dynamo again ahead of the All-Star break, let’s pump the brakes. That kind of comeback isn’t imminent.
Yes, Ohtani is slated to throw in a simulated game this Saturday in New York, a controlled environment to test his mechanics and control. But don’t mistake that for a return to regular pitching duty during a brutal four-week slate that looms large over the Dodgers’ playoff hopes.
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