The manager further elaborated on the long-term plan regarding the precautionary hold on Ohtani's pitching duties.
"Where we’re at right now, how we’re proceeding, I would say that it’s going to be some time.
I’d say that it’s not going to be a day-to-day thing," said Roberts.
Roberts emphasized that the team's strong divisional standing grants them leeway in managing player availability without unnecessary risk.
"Honestly, a lot of it is where we’re at and how we’ve put ourselves in a good spot," said Roberts.
"Could he probably do it? Sure.
But right now, the benefits just [don’t] seem to outweigh the cost at this time of the season.
So I think we still have plenty of time to get him to a good spot to then pitch."
Before the current shutdown, Ohtani compiled an 8-2 record with a 1.79 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts across 85.2 innings in 14 starts.
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The Dodgers expect rotation reinforcements soon, with Blake Snell slated for an August return alongside Tyler Glasnow later in the regular season.
