New Shohei Ohtani Pitching Update, Dodgers' Dave Roberts Reveals Timeline for Star to Pitch in Game

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts believes it could only be a matter of days before Shohei Ohtani is back to pitching in MLB games.

Roberts told reporters Sunday that Ohtani's return to the mound could arrive as early as next week.

The four-time MVP had a throwing session against hitters on Saturday at Dodger Stadium.

Ohtani hasn't pitched since the Dodgers' 4-3 win over the San Diego Padres on July 3. He was initially sidelined because of knee trouble, and team doctors also flagged a biceps injury in his throwing arm.

Ohtani has continued to serve as the designated hitter in the interim, and his performance hasn't suffered much despite not being at 100 percent. Across 20 games so far in August, he has six home runs and a .282/.371/.564 slash line.

Welcoming the six-time All-Star back as a two-way player would be a huge boost to the starting rotation.

The Dodgers' acquisition of Tarik Skubal was a case of the rich getting richer, but the pitching staff was also an area of concern. At the time of the trade, the trio of Ohtani, Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow were unavailable, while Justin Wrobleski had soared past his career high for innings in a single MLB season.

L.A. has since welcomed Snell back from the injured list, but Wrobleski landed on the IL with left forearm inflammation.

For as much as some fans think a three-peat is almost preordained, the Dodgers pitching staff isn't in a great place right now. The situation is much different if Ohtani gets the green light and remains the player who posted a 1.79 ERA and averaged 10 strikeouts per nine innings before going down.