The Los Angeles Dodgers' starting rotation is shaping up to be the most dominant in Major League Baseball, even as the status of two-way star Shohei Ohtani's pitching return remains uncertain. Acquisitions and recent performances have created a sense of confidence around the team, known as Chavez Ravine.
The Dodgers bolstered their pitching staff with the acquisition of Tarik Skubal at the trade deadline two weeks prior to August 13, 2026. This move, coupled with Blake Snell's strong return from injury on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, has positioned the team to potentially feature three ace-caliber arms in their rotation for the upcoming stretch run: Skubal, Snell, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Manager Dave Roberts expressed enthusiasm, noting, "It’s coming together."
While Ohtani's pitching health is not the primary concern it once was, the team remains optimistic about his recovery from a knee injury that has sidelined him since early July. Ohtani has not thrown a bullpen session in three weeks, but he has played catch three times in the past week. This progression followed a two-week layoff from throwing due to "regression" in his knee after a July 22 bullpen session. Although he has not yet returned to throwing off a mound, he performed dry tosses, mimicking his mechanics, which manager Roberts suggested indicates a bullpen session is likely the next step.
However, a return to pitching in major league games for Ohtani still requires a significant build-up. This process includes multiple bullpen sessions, facing hitters in live batting practice, and potentially starting with a limited workload. Regaining stamina for full-length starts would necessitate a weeks-long process similar to his return from Tommy John surgery last season. The Dodgers are proceeding cautiously, with Roberts stating, "If you look at how we kind of paused things – we all want to be smart and careful."
The addition of Skubal, who was a significant acquisition, and Snell's six-inning performance after an elbow procedure, have provided immediate validation for the team's pitching depth. Tyler Glasnow is also nearing a return, expected to make two more minor-league rehab starts before activation. This enhanced depth means that even if Ohtani is unable to pitch this year, the Dodgers would still possess a highly competitive starting rotation.
Among pitchers with at least 50 starts since 2022, Skubal, Snell, and Yamamoto rank among the top seven in ERA. However, Ohtani himself still leads this specific leaderboard. The ideal scenario for the Dodgers remains Ohtani contributing as both a hitter and a pitcher. "It is additive, given he’s a two-way player, to get those innings, for sure," Roberts commented. Nevertheless, the team's current pitching options provide a strong foundation for their championship aspirations, reducing the pressure on Ohtani's return to the mound.