Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani hit in the batting cage on Saturday while dealing with lingering issues in his right biceps, left knee and neck. Manager Dave Roberts said the day was a positive step forward for Ohtani’s recovery. Roberts mentioned that Ohtani felt well after the session and his hitting coaches shared good feedback. MLB.com reported that Ohtani worked in the batting cage during Saturday’s game as the Dodgers continued evaluating his condition.
The team is hopeful that Ohtani can return to the lineup on Monday, according to Yahoo Sports. Just a few days ago, Roberts said he was unsure how long Ohtani would need before returning. Ohtani was out of the starting lineup Sunday for a fourth consecutive game, although Roberts said his recovery was trending in the right direction.
The injury has kept him off the mound since July 3 due to knee soreness, according to a report from uk.sports.yahoo.com. Ohtani had been dealing with a right biceps problem, but the Dodgers had not placed him on the injured list as of Sunday. The MRI scan that showed “more of the same” was for Dodgers catcher Dalton Rushing’s sprained right elbow, not Ohtani. Rushing returned to the injured list Sunday after experiencing renewed elbow trouble while playing catch.
Ohtani had been struggling at the plate recently, striking out four times against the Cardinals on Wednesday. Despite that, Roberts expressed satisfaction with how Ohtani was progressing in his recovery. Reuters reported that Ohtani was 2-for-23 with 11 strikeouts over his previous six games.
Ohtani had not played since Wednesday, when he went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, but he has otherwise remained a regular designated hitter during his absence from the pitching rotation. This season, Ohtani is hitting .279 with 30 home runs and 80 RBIs in 133 games. Before his pitching was put on hold, he went 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA in 14 starts.
Roberts emphasized that the team wanted to give Ohtani time to get fully right before returning. The Dodgers have not officially ruled out another pitching appearance this season, although Roberts indicated that a return to the mound is becoming increasingly unlikely because of the limited time remaining and Ohtani’s recent lack of throwing.
Ohtani’s return timeline remains uncertain but he is showing signs of improvement. His performance in the batting cage and feedback from staff suggest a gradual recovery path.
The team is monitoring his condition closely as they plan for his next steps.
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