Dodgers Shake Up Pitching Staff and Eye Shohei Ohtani Return

Pitching changes for the Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers are shaking up their pitching staff to get through their final game against their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants. The team made four roster moves on Sunday, all involving pitchers. They recalled right-hander Emmet Sheehan and Kyle Hurt. To make room, the Dodgers placed Tarik Skubal on the bereavement list and optioned Seth Halvorsen to Triple A Oklahoma City.

Jack Dreyer will start the game on the mound as the Dodgers chase a series sweep. Sheehan is set to handle the bulk of the pitching after Dreyer. Sheehan has a 5-8 record with a 4.79 ERA in 22 games this season. Manager Dave Roberts said they are piecing through the available options to see what gives Sheehan the best chance.

Injury updates on Tucker and Ohtani

In other team news, right fielder Kyle Tucker was left out of Sunday's lineup. He left Saturday's 10-4 victory early after a fouled pitch hit his right knee. Roberts described the move to rest him as precautionary. Tucker has been in excellent form, batting .429 with five home runs, eight extra base hits, and 11 RBIs over his last 10 games.

The Dodgers also expect to welcome back Shohei Ohtani very soon. This is Ohtani's first time on the injured list since he joined the Dodgers in 2024. He could make his return during the three game series against the San Diego Padres that starts on Tuesday night.

Ohtani went on the 15 day injured list due to right biceps inflammation, and he has also dealt with left knee soreness for several months. Roberts hopes Ohtani will be pain free for the final week of the regular season as the team tries to secure a bye and avoid the wild card round. Roberts noted that when Ohtani is activated, he should be in his best physical shape in a long time.