Dodgers Hit With Heartbreaking Shohei Ohtani Claim After Dave Roberts’ Unsettling Revelation

Just when you thought the Los Angeles Dodgers were cruising on a dream signed in yen and delivered with a million-watt smile, reality lobbed a curveball. Shohei Ohtani, the unicorn of baseball, had fans riding high—until Dave Roberts stepped up and casually dropped a truth bomb. If optimism was the game plan, the Dodgers might want to revise their scouting report.

The Dodgers received some great news the past week about their top superstar, Shohei Ohtani. He was back on the mound throwing some pitches, and this was news that fans were waiting for. But then, there is some update from David Samson and Dave Roberts that might have the Dodgers turning to their drawing boards.

In his recent YouTube Video, David Samson shared, “What drew the most attention this weekend was Sho Ohtani throwing, wait for it, live BP… So, I agree it’s not a small deal, but I also agree it is not even close to where you need to be to get back to a major league mound. So, Ohtani throws live BP, and the stories were everywhere. He was on a big league mound for the first time in 614 days.”

According to Samson, Ohtani is given attention a little too much, and this BP session was not that big. Yes, it is a step towards him getting on the mound, but he is still nowhere near being ready to get back on the major league mound. The news of Ohtani not being fully ready became clearer after the news Dave Roberts gave.

Shohei Ohtani didn’t want to face any right-handed hitters during his live BP session. Instead of challenging a righty, he asked for J.T. Watkins, a coach, to step in. That’s not exactly business as usual for a two-way superstar. This raised a lot of concerns, but was answered by Dave Roberts.

The LA skipper didn’t panic, but the explanation was eyebrow-raising. “He didn’t want to face any of our right-handed hitters…. JT and Sho have a great relationship, so JT offered. And Sho was more than happy to oblige.” Translation? The Dodgers are babying their billion-dollar arm, and these are clear signs that Ohtani needs more time to even be considered on the mound.

Call it caution, call it strategy—but don’t call it dominance just yet. If Ohtani’s return involves ducking righties and striking out coaches, the Dodgers’ roadmap might need recalibration. Talent like his deserves the spotlight, not a carefully curated soft launch. Until he’s mowing down actual lineups, the legend stays in warmup mode. Well, true that baseball’s unicorn is back—but still grazing on safe pastures.

As Shohei Ohtani offers a glimmer, the Dodgers wait for their other pitchers to return

When the Los Angeles Dodgers built their billion-dollar dream team, they probably didn’t budget for duct tape and prayers. Yet here they are, clinging to Shohei Ohtani’s cautious progress like it’s a playoff berth. While their ace-in-waiting finally tweaks a slider, the rest of the rotation resembles a medical report. If hope is a strategy, the Dodgers are playing it pitch by pitch.

Shohei Ohtani quietly checked off another rehab box, mixing in breaking pitches during flat-ground work. It’s his first time doing so this year, a small but important leap in his recovery. The Dodgers still don’t have a date for him to face live hitters. But each bullpen session inches him closer to a two-way return.

Tyler Glasnow, sidelined with shoulder inflammation, threw lightly off a mound slope for the first time. That’s a big step, signaling his rehab is ahead of schedule. Blake Snell, dealing with a similar shoulder issue, is close behind in his throwing program. Both could return around the same time, possibly within weeks.

Kirby Yates, recovering from a hamstring strain, has already resumed catch play—he’s eyeing a 2–4 week return. Michael Kopech, who has battled a shoulder impingement, will begin a Triple-A rehab assignment this week. Their quick progress boosts a Dodgers bullpen that has thrown more innings than any other in MLB.

Help is coming, and the rotation is starting to resemble its original form.

The cavalry isn’t charging in — it’s limping back, stretching, and asking for one more rehab outing. But make no mistake: If health is restored, this Dodgers staff can still dominate October. They’ve traded dominance for duct tape, but the talent hasn’t vanished — just temporarily benched. Injuries may have rerouted the season, but the destination remains the same: World Series or bust. Because when your payroll starts with a “B,” there are no moral victories — only parade routes.

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