Dodgers' Risky Strategy for Ohtani's Return Draws Scrutiny

The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to activate Shohei Ohtani from the 15-day injured list on Wednesday, with manager Dave Roberts indicating a plan to have him play in all five remaining regular-season games. This strategy, aimed at preparing Ohtani for the playoffs, is drawing criticism for being unnecessarily risky, particularly given the team's previous experiences with his injuries.

Roberts stated that Ohtani "will need those live at-bats" to prepare for the postseason. However, this approach revives concerns from earlier this month when Ohtani was sidelined due to discomfort in his right arm and left knee. At that time, general manager Brandon Gomes downplayed the severity of his injuries, suggesting they were not responsible for a hitting slump and would not necessitate an IL stint.

Despite Ohtani reportedly being "pain-free" as of Sunday, Roberts acknowledged he is still experiencing "discomfort you can play through." This level of discomfort, while seemingly manageable, has previously led to Ohtani being unable to continue playing. The player's insistence on playing through pain in both his pitching arm and at-bats, which ultimately led to his placement on the injured list, highlights a recurring pattern.

Roberts indicated that Ohtani's condition has improved over the last two weeks, but conceded he is "probably not" 100% healthy. This suggests that the issues that led to his IL stint persist, albeit at a lesser intensity.

The article argues that this strategy is problematic, citing the events earlier in the month that demonstrated Ohtani's vulnerability to further injury when playing through pain. The concern is that playing in all five remaining games, instead of a more conservative approach, could push him closer to a point of no return, jeopardizing his availability throughout the entire postseason. The goal, the critique suggests, should be to ensure Ohtani's capacity to perform across the entire playoff run, even if it means a gradual re-acclimation during the early stages of the postseason.

Ohtani himself has previously expressed a realistic outlook on his health, stating he did not expect to be at full strength by the end of the season. He noted his belief that he could compensate for physical limitations by making adjustments to his swing and finding new ways to compete. This suggests a player determined to play through discomfort and maximize his impact, even if it involves creative approaches to his mechanics.

This aggressive approach to Ohtani's return carries significant potential upside but also considerable downside, echoing past decisions that have led to setbacks.