Context:

The Los Angeles Dodgers have started the season with a strong record of 26-14, yet they are exercising caution with Shohei Ohtani by not rushing his return to pitching. Despite injuries in their rotation, the Dodgers prioritize Ohtani's health due to his outstanding offensive performance, marked by his .305/.410/.649 slash line and league-leading 12 home runs. Ohtani is being held back from pitching until after the All-Star break to avoid risking an injury that could remove him from the lineup, a move supported by USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Manager Dave Roberts emphasizes Ohtani's exceptional talent, comparing him to Barry Bonds, highlighting his clutch performance that stands out even among other star players like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts. The Dodgers' careful strategy aims to maintain their competitive edge while ensuring Ohtani's long-term contribution to the team remains intact.

Dive Deeper:

• The Dodgers have begun the season with a 26-14 record, following their World Series win last year, achieved without Shohei Ohtani pitching at all. This season, Ohtani has yet to pitch as he continues to work through a throwing program aimed at returning him to the mound.

• Ohtani maintains an impressive offensive output, with a slash line of .305/.410/.649 and leading the National League with 12 home runs, positioning himself as an MVP finalist once again.

• Despite injuries to pitchers Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, the Dodgers are not rushing Ohtani back into pitching, prioritizing his health and current offensive contributions over immediate rotation needs.

• Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the Dodgers plan to hold Ohtani from pitching until after the All-Star break to minimize the risk of injury, which could have severe implications for the team's lineup.

• Manager Dave Roberts praises Ohtani's unique talent, comparing him to Barry Bonds in terms of performance and clutch ability, underscoring the value Ohtani brings to a roster that includes other stars like Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers are 26-14 to start the season. They won the World Series last season without Shohei Ohtani ever throwing a pitch, and he still has not pitched this year.

• Ohtani has been working to get back on the mound and is progressing through a throwing program. While doing so, he is still managing to stay sharp at the plate. He is slashing .305/.410/.649 this year and has a National League-best 12 home runs. He is shaping up to be an MVP finalist again.

• The Dodgers have been very careful with Ohtani despite injuries plaguing their rotation. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are on the injured list. However, the Dodgers are not trying to risk anything with Ohtani, considering his offensive production, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

• "The Dodgers are holding back Shohei Ohtani from pitching until after the All-Star break believing there’s no sense in hurrying him to the mound while he continues to put up MVP numbers at the plate," wrote Nightengale.

• Rushing Ohtani back to pitching and him suffering an injury that takes him out of the lineup, would be terrible for the Dodgers. While they still have Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Will Smith and Teoscár Hernández, Ohtani is one of a kind. Manager Dave Roberts even compared him to Barry Bonds.

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• "Between him and Barry Bonds, they’re the two best players I’ve ever seen," said Roberts, per Nightengale. "I played with Barry. But what Shohei does in the clutch, I’ve never seen anything like what he does in the clutch."

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