LOS ANGELES — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided some encouraging news, if only a glimmer of it, regarding Shohei Ohtani‘s ability to resume pitching.
“He’s playing catch, potentially going to throw a bullpen soon,” Roberts told the media before the Dodgers opened their four-game homestand with the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Aug. 13.
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Though the Dodgers have indicated they expect Ohtani to pitch again this season, the team has offered no timeline. It would be most critical to get him back when the playoffs start.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched since July 3 because of inflammation in his left knee. He’d been brilliant on the mound until the knee issue surfaced.
The knee problem hasn’t kept Ohtani out of the lineup as the team’s designated hitter. He leads the Dodgers with 26 home runs, a slugging percentage of .544 and an on-base percentage of .393.
Roberts indicated he expects Ohtani to play all four games against the Brewers and will evaluate him before the Dodgers start a three-game series at Colorado Aug. 17.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Will Shohei Ohtani pitch soon? Dave Roberts provides update on Dodgers star
