Dodgers' Dave Roberts Outlines Plan to Manage Shohei Ohtani’s Workload

As the Los Angeles Dodgers near the end of Spring Training, manager Dave Roberts offered insight into how the club plans to handle Shohei Ohtani as he continues progressing toward a full return to pitching.

Roberts expressed strong confidence in Ohtani’s current trajectory, pointing to a recent outing in Arizona as a clear sign of progress. He noted the right-hander showed sharp command, focus, and intent—qualities the team hopes will carry into his next appearance.

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The immediate goal, Roberts said, is modest but meaningful: Build Ohtani up to roughly 75–80 pitches and potentially complete six innings.

“That would be a big step for us,” Roberts indicated, adding that Ohtani’s motivation to reach that level is evident.

Still, the Dodgers are not committing to a rigid schedule. Rather than locking Ohtani into a traditional every-five- or six-day rotation, Roberts emphasized a flexible approach that evaluates each outing individually.

Factors such as pitch count, stress level, and recovery time will all play a role in determining when Ohtani takes the mound next.

Managing that balance will be one of the organization’s biggest challenges early in the season.

“It’s about winning games but also being mindful of the workload,” Roberts explained. While Ohtani could reach six innings. and possibly flirt with seven early in the season, the Dodgers have no intention of pushing him deeper than necessary. Preserving his long-term health remains a priority.

That challenge is compounded by Ohtani’s role as a two-way player. Roberts acknowledged that pitching multiple innings places a significantly heavier physical demand on him compared to last season, when his workload was built up gradually in shorter bursts.

Throwing 70-plus pitches, Roberts noted, is far more taxing than a one- or two-inning outing, especially when paired with regular at-bats. Even so, the manager believes Ohtani is well-prepared both mentally and physically for the increased responsibility.

The Dodgers are also dealing with limited pitching depth due to injuries, which adds another layer of complexity. Roberts admitted that the team may not always have the luxury of extra rest between starts, making careful planning even more critical.

If Ohtani proves capable of handling a consistent starter’s workload, then Roberts didn’t hesitate when asked about his potential impact.

“If he’s making regular starts,” Roberts said, “he’s absolutely in that conversation,” referring to Cy Young Award consideration.

For now, the Dodgers will continue to monitor Ohtani closely, adjusting as needed while prioritizing both performance and durability heading into the regular season.

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