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Shohei Ohtani suffers another setback for Dodgers amid pitching return
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- Shohei Ohtani suffers another setback for Dodgers amid pitching return
Shohei Ohtani suffers another setback for Dodgers amid pitching return originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been getting some worrying results, both on and off the field in the last month or so. Kyle Tucker's struggles have been a major issue, but lately, the concern has shifted to Shohei Ohtani .
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He's missed two straight games as the team's designated hitter, which is on top of his absence from the mound for Los Angeles. Unfortunately, the updates have only gotten worse about his return to the mound.
According to The Athletics' Fabian Ardaya , the Dodgers' two-way superstar recently suffered another setback amid his return to pitching. Ohtani has taken a step back in his recovery plan and will continue to miss more time on the mound.
Shohei Ohtani suffers another setback amid pitching recovery
"Shohei Ohtani has also stopped throwing pylo balls, Dave Roberts said," Ardaya reports. "What does this mean for a potential pitching timeline? 'Certainly pushes it back,' Roberts said."
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This update from Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is concerning. Ohtani is clearly not close to being good to go, as he's stopped his progression entirely.
While the pylo ball work wasn't exactly putting Ohtani on the doorstep of a return to the mound, it was at least a positive sign that the Dodgers believe he could return somewhat soon.
But now, he's had a setback and won't be pitching for quite some time, with this latest report from Roberts on his superstar MVP candidate.
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At this rate, the MVP award is looking likely to go to Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Ohtani doesn't seem likely to return to the mound this regular season, though the postseason could still be in play.
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There's a chance that Ohtani lands on the injured list, which is very concerning, and would not only further set him back in his pitching recovery, but also force him to miss even more time as a hitter for the Dodgers.
Ohtani's setback recently might lead to a stint on the injured list and, more likely than not, end his bid to return to the mound during the 2026 season. It's not totally out of the question just yet, but the odds are stacked against Ohtani right now.
