Dodgers Make Late Change to Shohei Ohtani Start vs Pirates

The Los Angeles Dodgers made a late switch in their starting rotation on Wednesday. Shohei Ohtani got scratched from his scheduled pitching appearance against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Instead of taking the mound for what would have been his 12th start of the season, Ohtani stepped into the designated hitter role and batted leadoff. Fans hoped to see the two-way superstar pitch, but the Dodgers chose to play it safe with his health after his long layoff from a major elbow injury.

Ohtani’s Long Road Back to the Mound

Ohtani’s journey back to pitching hasn’t followed the usual script. After a major elbow injury late in the 2023 season with the Angels, he spent nearly two years away from competitive pitching.

Normally, pitchers rehab in the minors before returning to the big leagues. But Ohtani’s unique two-way status and his everyday role as a hitter for the Dodgers changed that plan.

Balancing Hitting and Pitching Duties

Since joining Los Angeles, Ohtani has been a regular in the lineup. Sending him to the minors for pitching rehab just isn’t practical.

So, his ramp-up to pitching again has happened right in the spotlight of the majors. Even for someone as gifted as Ohtani, that’s a pretty big ask.

Signs of Progress on the Hill

Despite the unusual approach, Ohtani has shown flashes of his old self on the mound. His best outing came on August 27 against the Cincinnati Reds.

He allowed just one run on two hits and struck out nine batters over five innings that day. That performance reminded everyone of his electrifying talent when he’s healthy and locked in.

Why the Dodgers Made the Change

Manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani had been feeling “under the weather” since Tuesday. During a recent side session, Ohtani felt some discomfort while throwing, which made the Dodgers pause.

Ohtani’s condition wasn’t bad enough to keep him from batting, but the team didn’t want to risk making things worse by letting him pitch.

Game Day Adjustments in Pittsburgh

First pitch at PNC Park stayed set for 6:40 p.m. ET. With the pitching change, Emmet Sheehan took the mound instead.

Ohtani still led off in the lineup, giving the Dodgers an offensive boost—even if his pitching arm got the night off.

Looking Ahead for Ohtani and the Dodgers

The Dodgers’ approach with Ohtani looks like a season-long balancing act. They’ll keep weighing his pitching status against his value at the plate, trying to get the most out of him without risking his health.

For Ohtani, every game—whether pitching or hitting—feels like another step toward reclaiming his spot as one of baseball’s most remarkable players. Fans are watching closely for updates on his next start, hoping that his recent success against the Reds is just the beginning.

Key Takeaways

• Ohtani missed his pitching start because he felt sick and had some discomfort during a side session.
• He’s still batting leadoff as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
• The team’s taking the long view with his health, not rushing him for short-term wins.
• Back on August 27, he showed flashes of his top pitching form.
• The Dodgers are easing him back into two-way play, thinking ahead to the playoffs.

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Here is the source article for this story: Dodgers Make Late Change to Shohei Ohtani Pitching Plan for Wednesday’s Game vs. Pirates