Shohei Ohtani’s return as Dodgers pitcher could happen sooner than expected

Following a prolonged absence from the Dodgers’ starting rotation because of a lingering injury to his left knee, Shohei Ohtani is finally nearing the end of his recovery process as a pitcher. And suddenly, as manager Dave Roberts said on Sunday, the two-way star’s return to the mound could happen sooner than the team

Ohtani has not pitched since July 3 because of knee inflammation and then a bicep issue

The Dodgers plan to slowly work Ohtani back, pitching one inning in his first few starts in hopes of having him ready to throw six innings by the postseason.

The Dodgers have not confirmed whether Ohtani will need to face live hitters again before returning to a major-league mound.

Shohei Ohtani faced teammate Will Smith in live batting practice

Deferred contracts have existed in MLB for decades, with dozens of players across the league currently using them, not just the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Questions have been raised about what Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani wants to do if the Los Angeles Dodgers decide to change things up in the ownership group. Questions have been raised about that happening, though the latest report suggests that no matter who runs the Dodgers, Ohtani still wants to be in