Dave Roberts said on August 14, 2026 that Shohei Ohtani is on track for a return to pitching after throwing a 35-pitch bullpen session. "35 pitches. Um, he used his entire mix. He felt encouraged," Roberts said.
Roberts outlined the remaining steps in Ohtani's rehab, saying the plan calls for additional bullpens followed by live at-bats before Ohtani takes the mound in a major league game. "I can't see less than two lives and then I would see him in a major league game and then you sort of start that one inning kind of thing," Roberts said. He added that Ohtani will throw another bullpen within two to five days.
Roberts noted he feels confident in Ohtani's progress after conversations with pitching coach Mark and with Ohtani himself, along with watching the bullpen session in person. "I'm pretty confident. Um, talk to Mark. He's confident with uh in talking to show just also watching the pen," he said. Roberts also acknowledged the team has missed Ohtani's ability to provide extra innings out of the bullpen, saying the Dodgers have gotten zero of those innings for the last six or seven weeks.
Discussing bullpen management more broadly, Roberts explained that balancing player availability and workload becomes complicated once individual circumstances are considered. "When you kind of peel that layer back then your options get a little bit smaller and then you're talking about lanes and what's the best for a particular pitcher," he said. He pointed to examples across the roster, noting that Tanner has taken on heavy usage, that Evan's workload is being managed carefully as he continues to work back from Tommy John surgery, and that he pitches Alex every other day since Alex has not been used in an up-down role for a couple of years. Roberts also said the team has eliminated up-down usage for Edgardo Henriquez.
On Henriquez specifically, Roberts said the reliever needed to work through mechanical issues following a difficult outing, adding that fighting through adversity could help his confidence. He recalled watching Henriquez battle through a shaky final at-bat to close out the inning he started. "It wasn't pretty. I watched the inning, too. Um, but he found a way to make a pitch when he needed to," Roberts said.
Roberts also gave a positive update on position players Will and Dalton following batting practice, saying Will showed no regression and that Dalton feels ready to take an at-bat. "Dalton very encouraged. Um feels like he can go out there and take an at bat right now which is great," Roberts said, as Ohtani's next bullpen session within the coming days remains the immediate step in his return.