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Shohei Ohtani will make his rehab starts in actual MLB games rather than minor league rehab assignments as he works his way back to the mound, per Dodger Blue. Ohtani hasn’t pitched for the Dodgers since July 3, sidelined by lingering left knee soreness. He resumed his throwing program after suffering a setback following his first bullpen session during the rehab process. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the setback actually gave Ohtani more buy-in to the careful, structured approach the team has laid out for his return.

The decision to skip minor league rehab and pitch in big league games instead is notable but not entirely surprising for someone of Ohtani’s stature. He’s a two-time MVP and the most unique player in baseball history — a genuine frontline starter and middle-of-the-order bat rolled into one. At 32, he’s in the middle of his massive contract with the Dodgers, and the club has every reason to manage his workload carefully. The knee soreness that’s kept him off the mound for over five weeks has been a real concern, and the setback during his initial bullpen session only amplified that. But Roberts framing it as something that reinforced Ohtani’s commitment to the process is a good sign. It suggests Ohtani isn’t pushing recklessly to get back — he’s on board with the plan.

This approach — pitching in MLB games on what will presumably be limited pitch counts — lets the Dodgers control his environment more directly. In a minor league rehab start, you’re dealing with different catchers, different defensive alignments, and a context that doesn’t mirror what Ohtani will face when he’s fully back. Pitching in real games, even with a short leash, gets him into game situations that matter. It also keeps him in the clubhouse and around the team, which has its own value during a stretch where the Dodgers need every bit of momentum they can find.

I think this is the right call. Ohtani doesn’t need to face Double-A hitters to find his fastball command. He needs to build up his pitch count gradually in an environment where the coaching staff and training staff are right there. The Dodgers have been through enough with his knee this summer — the initial shutdown, the bullpen setback, the restart — that caution is clearly the priority. But getting him back on the mound in games, even in a limited role at first, is a meaningful step forward. Our rotation depth has held up reasonably well (Eric Lauer just made a strong case for himself in the Royals sweep), but this team with Ohtani pitching is a different animal entirely. Every start he makes between now and October matters.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: August 13, 2026 7:43 PM UTC

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