In this story:
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani needs to wait a little longer before he takes the mound.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters Thursday that Ohtani won’t face hitters before the team leaves for Japan. The Dodgers open the regular season against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18.
Ohtani last threw a bullpen session Feb. 25. The reigning NL MVP owns a .375 average in three games this spring.
“We’ve never really put a time on anything,” Roberts said.
“We just felt that to intensify the bullpens alongside the intensity of the games wasn’t smart,” Roberts added, according to the Dodgers’ official website, “so we just wanted to kind of slow-play it.”
![MLB] BASEBALL HISTORY HAS A NEW CHAPTER 📖 SHOHEI OHTANI IS THE FOUNDER OF THE 50/50 CLUB! : r/baseball](https://external-preview.redd.it/mlb-baseball-history-has-a-new-chapter-shohei-ohtani-is-the-v0-HL3nxGyBC6aw_GbHANjOHNwJPh1LcqLvFOb56l8ZMIg.jpg?width=640&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=81ed94e4ed72c0e5013dc1979f613df381dba6fc)
Ohtani had right elbow surgery in September 2023 and didn’t pitch last year. That didn’t stop the two-way phenom from recording the first 50/50 season in MLB history and winning his first World Series.
Roberts said earlier this spring that Ohtani could return to the mound in May.
Ohtani went 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA across 86 starts for the Los Angeles Angels. He turned heads with a stellar 2022 season, finishing 15-9 with a 2.33 ERA and an incredible 219-44 K-BB ratio.
“I think that when he’s ready, when the process, the progression, as it’s going on, we’ll know,” Roberts said.
Los Angeles Dodgers Nearing Another Record Breaking Agreement
Negotiations between the Los Angeles Dodgers and manager Dave Roberts are advancing, with a contract extension anticipated to establish a new benchmark for average annual managerial compensation. The Dodgers organization has been actively engaged in extension discussions with Roberts throughout spring training.
It is widely expected that the two-time World Series-winning manager will finalize a new agreement before the team departs on Wednesday for their season opener against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo. This timeline suggests a mutual desire to resolve the contract situation before the start of the regular season, allowing both parties to focus on the team’s performance.
Los Angeles Dodgers About To Make History With Dave Roberts Contract
Reports from The New York Post indicate that Roberts, currently in the final year of his three-year extension signed in late March 2022, is progressing in negotiations for a new contract. This development suggests a strong likelihood that Roberts’ new deal will exceed the $8 million annual value that Craig Counsell received from the Chicago Cubs after the 2023 season, a record-setting agreement that included a $40 million guarantee over five years. Notably, Roberts publicly praised Counsell’s deal, recognizing its potential to elevate the managerial market across baseball.
Since assuming the managerial role in 2016, Roberts has established himself as the most successful manager in terms of winning percentage, boasting a .627 record. Among active managers, only Bruce Bochy of the Texas Rangers has more postseason victories (57).
Roberts’ October success, which included securing his second World Series title, further solidified his Hall of Fame-caliber legacy. He adeptly navigated a Dodgers team plagued by injuries, particularly showcasing his strategic acumen during the NL Division Series against the San Diego Padres. Facing elimination, Roberts masterfully managed a bullpen game, igniting a run of 24 consecutive scoreless innings. This performance, along with the Dodgers’ championship victory with a depleted starting rotation, garnered praise from players and executives alike.
It’s noteworthy that two managers whom Roberts defeated during the postseason, Mike Shildt of the San Diego Padres and Aaron Boone of the New York Yankees, have subsequently signed contract extensions. This trend underscores the value placed on successful managers in today’s MLB landscape.
Leave a Reply