Unlikely

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch again this season, team manager Dave Roberts said Sunday. The Japanese has suffered multiple injuries, missing four consecutive games this week for the first time since he joined the Dodgers in 2023.

Ohtani has not pitched in a game since July 3. He has battled inflammation and soreness, and experienced injury setbacks after bullpen throwing sessions. Roberts expressed hope that Ohtani could return to the Dodgers' batting lineup as soon as Monday, but with just three weeks remaining of the regular season, he downplayed the prospect of Ohtani returning to the mound.

Cy Young dreams derailed

"Obviously if you're looking at the calendar, how much he's thrown in the last week, I think we can all do the math," said Roberts. Asked if Ohtani might instead throw just an inning as an opener, Roberts responded: "I think that's unlikely."

After undergoing two right elbow operations in 2023, Ohtani did not take the mound at all for the Dodgers until last June. This was meant to be the year Ohtani returned as a full-time two-way player, targeting the Cy Young Award. But that has been derailed by injuries to his left knee, right biceps and neck.