Shohei Ohtani 'unlikely' to pitch again this season

[p]The Japanese has suffered multiple injuries, missing four consecutive games this week for the first time since he joined the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-dodgers/nwPDBpVc/"]Dodgers[/a] in 2023.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ohtani-shohei/QoeWGRko/"]Ohtani[/a] has not pitched in a game since July 3rd. He has battled inflammation and soreness, and experienced injury setbacks after bullpen throwing sessions.[/p][p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/roberts-ethan/nH8GIzgF/"]Roberts[/a] on Sunday expressed hope that Ohtani could return to the Dodgers' batting lineup as soon as Monday.[/p][embed guid="c3eea4ca-6974-4279-a69e-d08a8fb844cf" url="https://x.com/DodgersBeat/status/2096738994994512106?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]But with just three weeks remaining in the regular season, Roberts downplayed the prospect of Ohtani returning to the mound as a full-fledged starter this year.[/p][p][b]"Obviously if you're looking at the calendar, how much he's thrown in the last week, I think we can all do the math,"[/b] said Roberts.[/p][p]Asked if Ohtani might instead throw just an inning at a time as an opener, Roberts responded: [b]"I think that's unlikely."[/b][/p][p]Ohtani has played a crucial role as the Dodgers have won back-to-back World Series in the past two seasons, but his pitching role has been limited.[/p][p]After undergoing two right elbow operations in 2023, Ohtani did not take the mound at all for the Dodgers until last June.[/p][p]After a rehab-free off-season, this was meant to be the year Ohtani returned as a full-time two-way player, with the Japanese star targeting the Cy Young Award for outstanding pitching.[/p][p]But that has been derailed by injuries to his left knee, right biceps and neck.[/p][p]Ohtani's batting form has slumped in recent weeks as he has attempted to return as a pitcher.[/p][infobox id="3e982646-21d3-4baf-ac34-10f731dff476" /]