The Los Angeles Dodgers aren’t just managing a superstar-they’re managing a unicorn. Shohei Ohtani is gearing up to return to the mound in 2026, and the Dodgers are taking every step to make sure that return goes smoothly.
After undergoing surgery to repair a torn labrum in 2024, Ohtani hasn’t pitched since. But that’s about to change.
While he’ll only hit for Japan in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, the plan in Los Angeles is clear: Ohtani will be part of the Dodgers’ starting rotation once the regular season begins. But don’t expect him to follow a typical pitcher’s schedule. The Dodgers are crafting a custom approach for their two-way phenom-one that prioritizes long-term health and sustained dominance over immediate workload.
Manager Dave Roberts has been consistent on this front since December. Ohtani is expected to be in the rotation for Opening Day, but the team won’t be sticking to the traditional five-day rest rhythm.
Instead, they’ll build in extra rest between starts-likely six to eight days, at least through the first month of the season. It’s a cautious but calculated move, giving Ohtani time to ease back into the grind of pitching without sacrificing his effectiveness at the plate or risking a setback.
This isn’t a luxury every team can afford, but the Dodgers are uniquely positioned to pull it off. Even with Blake Snell dealing with an injury, Los Angeles boasts one of the deepest rotations in baseball.
That depth gives them the flexibility to slow-play Ohtani’s return without weakening the overall staff. And once Ohtani is fully up to speed, his presence adds yet another elite arm to an already stacked group.
Still, it’s going to be a process. Early in the season, fans should expect shorter outings from Ohtani-four to five innings, perhaps-as he builds strength and stamina.
But as the weeks roll on, Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior will look to gradually stretch him out. The goal is to have Ohtani not just back on the mound, but back to being the dominant force he was before the injury.
For the Dodgers, this is about playing the long game. They know what they have in Ohtani-a generational talent whose impact goes far beyond any one start.
By managing his return with patience and precision, they’re setting themselves up for something special down the stretch. If all goes according to plan, we could be watching Ohtani do what only he can do: dominate from both the batter’s box and the pitcher’s mound-on his own schedule.