Uncertainty over Shohei Ohtani makes Tarik Skubal a must-get for Dodgers

The discomfort was noticeable. In his stride when he ran to second base for a double. In how he bent over and placed his hands on his knees when he tagged up to reach third base. Shohei Ohtani was in obvious pain. Ohtani might be determined to return to the mound this season, but how can the Dodgers watch him move the way he did on Friday night and believe they can count on him to pitch in October? They can’t. Los Angeles Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani heads to first for a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill Ohtani heads home after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Friday, July 31, 2026, in Los Angeles. AP Photo/Mark J.