His knee is not the only concern surrounding the two-way star, as his overall physical condition is also not quite at full strength. It now appears that his return to the mound could be delayed a little longer than initially expected following his shortened 20-pitch bullpen session on Friday.

Roberts knows he has several alternatives at his disposal, including the talented Tarik Skubal, although it is clear that Ohtani represents something more for this roster. Despite his current situation, the hope of having him back on the mound in the short term remains.

Dodgers need Ohtani on the mound

While Ohtani has continued to impact the lineup as a hitter, the Dodgers desperately need his elite arm back in their starting rotation ahead of October. Before a left knee injury shut him down from pitching in early July, Shohei was flat-out dominant, posting an 8-2 record with a blistering 1.79 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, and 95 strikeouts over 85 2/3 innings.

With Los Angeles’ rotation depleted by injuries and consistency issues down the stretch, having Ohtani return to anchor the top of the rotation isn’t just a luxury—it’s the missing piece they need to make a deep, championship-caliber postseason run.

The Dodgers have their eyes on the playoffs

With 28 games left in the regular season, the Dodgers enter the final stretch with a singular goal in mind: securing their place in baseball lore with a historic three-peat. Standing between Los Angeles and postseason momentum are three crucial upcoming series—finishing out a road set against the Detroit Tigers before heading back home to Dodger Stadium to face the St. Louis Cardinals and Washington Nationals.

With the Division race tightening down the stretch, every single series matters; the Dodgers need to bank wins now to solidify their playoff seeding and prove they still have the depth to become MLB‘s first back-to-back-to-back World Series champion in over two decades.

The Dodgers acquired the former Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder earlier this year. Playing for the Oklahoma City Comets, Thomas has posted an .855 OPS and, importantly, can also play center field.

There isn’t much time left before the MLB regular season comes to an end, and the Dodgers are still sitting atop the NL West. They will look to remain up to the task despite the significant injuries they are dealing with at this stage of the season.

Pages’ absence will be felt

Before his injury after a hit-by-pitch, Pages was having a massive breakout year as an All-Star, posting a solid .272 batting average with 21 home runs, 80 RBIs, and a standout 5.6 bWAR across 128 games. His 4-to-5-week absence is a brutal hit for L.A. right down the stretch, as the lineup loses one of its most reliable everyday run-producers while the outfield forfeits elite, lockdown defense in center field.

Replacing that blend of pop, plate consistency, and defensive coverage won’t be easy for Dave Roberts as the Dodgers fight to secure a first-round bye heading into the postseason.

The Dodgers’ resilience

The victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates was anything but easy, and the Dodgers had to show the kind of character expected from a team looking to win the title. This was something Roberts made clear in his postgame comments to the press.

“Our guys just fight,” Roberts said, per MLB.com. “Even when we gave up the lead, we didn’t get down. And Tommy came up with an 0-2 base hit to win the game. We were short on pitching, so we needed that one.”

Little by little, this team is establishing itself as one of the strongest not only in its division, but in the league as a whole. Can the West Coast dream of winning the World Series once again for the third consecutive year?

“Felt good the next day, and I should be throwing another bullpen tomorrow, assuming everything feels good,” he said after Dodgers’ 11-5 victory over the Colorado Rockies. Dave Roberts can be hopeful about getting his biggest star back at full strength.

The Dodgers’ offensive struggles have been a concern for the manager during this stretch of the season. Now that Ohtani appears to be getting back to full strength, the future looks promising.

Elite pitching rotation for the Dodgers

At full strength, it’s clear that the Dodgers have one of the most formidable pitching rotations in the league. Alongside Ohtani, they have Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tarik Skubal, two elite pitchers in MLB.

In addition, despite dealing with various injuries, Dave Roberts has more options at his disposal. Blake Snell is back after missing an extended period, while Tyler Glasnow and Gavin Stone are working their way back through rehab assignments in the minor leagues. Meanwhile, Justin Wrobleski was recently added to the injured list.

Ohtani’s numbers on the mound

In 14 starts across 85.2 innings of work on the mound in 2026, Shohei Ohtani has posted an impressive 8–2 record alongside a dominant 1.79 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. Armed with elite strikeout metrics—highlighted by 95 strikeouts (9.98 K/9) against just 26 walks—his overall pitching contributions have been worth roughly 3.0 WAR, anchoring the Dodgers’ rotation with true frontline performance.

“I say this because it’s just been four or five, six weeks of below average production in our offense. It’s just the truth, and I think we have just haven’t played clean baseball for quite some time, and that speaks to the defense,” Roberts said to the press after losing vs Milwaukee Brewers.

With 37 games separating the Dodgers from another postseason appearance, it is clear that they need to improve significantly to be considered serious contenders. Can Roberts turn things around in the short term?

Offensive production on the decline

During August 2026, the Dodgers faced a notable offensive slump, generating an August record of just 5–11 and seeing their team wRC+ drop to 93 in the second half of the season. Throughout this stretch, the lineup struggled with a .237 team batting average and a .672 team OPS, averaging merely 3.2 runs per game during their roughest span.

Kyle Tucker has struggled to meet expectations with his second-half wRC+ dipping to 97, while Mookie Betts has endured a brutal cold streak fueled by an uncharacteristically low .231 BABIP. Meanwhile, Freddie Freeman has suffered an extended power outage with a total lack of extra-base hits in key situations, and Shohei Ohtani has seen his run-producing impact severely limited as opposing pitchers continually work around him without protection behind him in the order.

Home-field advantage in jeopardy for Los Angeles

The Dodgers’ recent skid has placed their postseason home-field advantage in serious jeopardy. After dropping three of four to the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles now trails Milwaukee by three games for the National League’s top record while also losing the tiebreaker edge to them.

Amid a dismal stretch over their last 16 games, the defending back-to-back champions have limped to an 18–21 mark since July 1, rapidly fading in the race for home-field positioning.

Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Sato is the top hitter in the NPB by OPS (1.026) and the Yankees are very interested in him. Sato is highly expected to try his luck in the MLB after the 2026 season and is 27 years old. He is posting a line of .317 AVG | .404 OBP | .622 SLG% | 205 wRC+ right now.

Sato is not an elite prospect. He is a superstar and a finished product waiting to prove his worth in the Majors. Right now, big markets are waiting on him as the two Big Apple teams and Los Angeles are monitoring him.

Are the NY Mets, Dodgers competition for Yankees?

The New York Mets are a money-loaded team with no success whatsoever. They see Sato as one of the guys who could help them turn their fortunes. The Yankees should have leverage over their city rivals to land Sato.

However, the Dodgers are the end-all, be-all of the MLB. Also, they have a lot of Japanese superstars like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Roki Sasaki that could help sway Sato’s desire.

Who would Sato replace?

If the New York Yankees were to sign the Japanese infielder/slugger, Sato would be positioned to replace Ryan McMahon at third base or provide an option at other corner infield and designated hitter spots.

A potential acquisition of Sato could also impact corner outfield or bench depth depending on how the Yankees structure their alignment. What is for sure, the team that lands Sato will get an upgrade.

“I’m not going to sit here and say I’m the big piece,” Skubal told reporters in his first media availability. “They’ve been a pretty good baseball team without me. So I’m going to show up and kind of be a chameleon in a sense and fit right in with these guys and just gel with them.“

He also added: “They’ve got the winning recipe. They know what it takes to win. I don’t. I’m going to lean on these guys, let them guide me and lead me.“

The Dodgers have won the last two World Series titles, and this season they will be chasing the coveted three-peat. Skubal’s arrival is no coincidence, as the team has assembled one of the greatest starting rotations ever.

Skubal brings elite pedigree to Los Angeles

The trade addition of reigning Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal gives the Los Angeles Dodgers a legitimate rotation ace capable of dominating in October. After returning from a minor elbow procedure in mid-June, Skubal was exceptional for the Detroit Tigers in 2026, posting a 5–4 record with a stellar 2.55 ERA, a 0.92 WHIP, and 111 strikeouts over 95.1 innings across 16 starts.

Equipped with a high-90s fast-ball and a devastating changeup, Skubal provides Los Angeles with an elite swing-and-miss left-hander to anchor the top of the rotation, relieve pressure on bullpen depth, and serve as a shutdown Option A in a postseason series.

Winning is the Dodgers’ only goal

Dave Roberts is the leader of a team whose only goal is to become MLB champions once again. Building a competitive roster in this league is the key to achieving that objective.

“I think the thing is that it’s all about winning a championship,” the manager said. “And so I don’t think every clubhouse can say that. Everything we do is geared around that. … Make no mistake that you’re a young player, old player — the goal is to win a championship, and you gotta be additive. So we don’t have the cattiness and the drama. We’re about winning.”

What’s next for Los Angeles?

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their road stretch as they wrap up a series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field through August 5. From there, the Dodgers head to Phoenix for a three-game division matchup against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field (August 7–9), before returning home to Dodger Stadium to host a three-game set against the Kansas City Royals (August 10–12) followed by a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers (August 13–16).

With Skubal on the Dodgers, they could be in the mix for the best MLB rotation ever. Now, they add a very talented left-hander pitcher with All-Star potential in Bubic, to give them long-term insurance and depth to an injury-depleted rotation. The Royals let one good player go, as reported by Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Bubic is still recovering from an injury, but he brings late-season depth for this team without sacrificing quality. Because the Dodgers have an embarrassment of riches when healthy, Bubic was acquired primarily as a safety net. His career splits show he is highly effective as a reliever (2.97 ERA), meaning manager Dave Roberts can easily transition him into a bullpen, though he can be a starter too.

What does Bubic bring to the table?

Bubic is a leftie that brings a high strikeout rate. He can also be a multi-inning reliever or a starter if needed. Once he recovers from the left elbow soreness and left shoulder discomfort, he can be immediately of great use for the Dodgers.

In 2026, he has a 3-2 record and has 51 strikeouts in 50 1/3 innings. Bubic brings an elite changeup, but his sweeper has improved heavily and also has an efficient four-seam fastball. He is way more than a one-trick pony.

It’s championship-or-bust for the Dodgers

Not only do the Dodgers have the best pitching staff in the MLB, it is by a mile. Add that to their offensive prowess, and there’s really no excuse for them to not win a championship.

Add the fact that they have two straight World Series, so they know how to play do-or-die instances too. If the Dodgers don’t win, it is a sports and economic catastrophe for the team.

As the 29-year-old starting pitcher leaves the city he called home for his entire MLB career to return to his home state of California, the organization in Motor City posted a farewell message.

“For what you mean to this city. For what you mean to these fans. For what you mean to this team. Thank you, Skub,” the Tigers wrote on a social media post bidding farewell to their longtime starting pitcher.

Skubal is ready for next chapter

Meanwhile, Skubal sent an emotional message to the Tigers and expressed his excitement about joining the Dodgers. Skubal couldn’t hide his excitement as he joins the apex predator in MLB. By adding the former Tigers ace, the Dodgers can make the case that they boast the most dominant pitching rotation in league history.

The Tigers fought all they could, but destiny arrived all the same. With the clock ticking before the MLB trade deadline and the team mired below .500, there was simply no way they could hold on to Skubal. If Detroit did, it would have been in vain, as the ace would have left in free agency after the season.

Just as the Dodgers had the assets to pull off a trade, they also could have handed Skubal a blank check to fill in the zeros. One way or another, Skubal was LA-bound. This way, at least, the Tigers come away with prospects in return.

Skubal’s return to Comerica Park

As the trade has been made official, Skubal and the Dodgers can look ahead to the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. That includes a three-game road series against the Tigers, meaning Skubal already knows when he will return to Motor City.

The Dodgers will be in town from Aug. 28-30, and it’s likely Skubal will start at least one of those games, giving fans one last chance to see him pitch at Comerica Park before the season ends. It will be the first of many, as Detroit fans will have to get used to seeing Skubal in a different uniform.

“I’m extremely grateful for everything the Tigers have done for me,” he said via ESPN. “Drafting me in 2018, giving a kid from a small college an opportunity, and providing me with every resource available… Everything has always been there for me.

“They always had answers and a plan for me; so, yes, I feel like I’ve been through a lot and experienced plenty of failures early in my career, but this organization never stopped believing in me. They kept sending me out there to pitch every five days, even when I probably didn’t deserve it. It’s something I will never take for granted.”

Visibly emotional and with his voice breaking, Skubal reflected on what lies ahead in this new chapter of his career with the Dodgers: “Yes, it’s exciting,” he said. “I’m excited.”

Skubal’s legacy in Detroit

As one of the most dominant aces of his era, Tarik Skubal leaves an indelible legacy in Detroit Tigers history as the undisputed anchor of their rotation. Highlighted by back-to-back American League Cy Young Awards (2024, 2025) and an iconic 2024 AL Pitching Triple Crown—leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts—Skubal transformed into a elite force on the mound.

Across his career in Detroit, the team that also shared a farewell message following Skubal’s departure, the two-time All-Star recorded more than 60 wins, posted an ERA around 3.04, and tallied nearly 1,000 strikeouts, cementing his status alongside franchise legends as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in team history.

Dodgers pursuing a three-peat

Although Tarik Skubal is not taking the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Boston Red Sox, the excitement surrounding their new acquisition is still at an all-time high. The Dodgers are looking to win their third consecutive World Series title.

In 2024, they eliminated Aaron Boone’s New York Yankees in a dominant 4-1 series, while in 2025, their next victim was the Toronto Blue Jays, with the final series being much closer at 4-3.

Unfortunately for Dodgers fans, they’ll have to wait until they see Skubal on the mound with the classic blue cap. The Dodgers will send Emmet Sheehan to the mound tonight vs Red Sox, and Skubal needs time to travel, join the team, and line up for his first official start after leaving the Tigers.

Skubal, whose salary compares to Shohei Ohtani, will provide the Dodgers with an absolute boost as they’ve been dealing with some sort of injuries on their opening rotation. Still, it won’t be tonight against the Red Sox.

Emmet Sheehan’s stats in 2026

Emmet Sheehan has recorded a 4–7 record, a 4.95 ERA, and 104 strikeouts over 19 appearances and 92.2 innings pitched. Hence, Dodgers fans really hoped Skubal could make a quick debut, but it won’t be the case.

Sheehan is still a serviceable pitcher. He features an electric fastball and a sharp slider, but has fought through stretches of poor command and high ERAs. That’s all it is right now.

The Red Sox are in red-hot form

The Red Sox are 7-3 in the last 10 games. However, the Dodgers are 69-42 this season. Hence, this could be a barnburner of a game. Ceddanne Rafaela and Caleb Durbin have improved massively.

Hence, if Sheehan is not in a good day, the Red Sox can torch him. This will be an absolute must-see game. These are two very good teams in an inter-league matchup.

However, if the Dodgers‘ starting pitchers want to be remembered as the most dominant rotation in MLB history, they have quite a task. The debate over what’s the best rotation of all time revolves, mainly, around three units: the 1998 Braves, 2019 Astros, and 1971 Orioles.

Now, in terms of talent, the Dodgers actual rotation has nothing to envy. When fully healthy, the rotation consists of Tarik Skubal, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Tyler Glasnow.

Why is the 1998 Braves rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, Denny Neagle, and Kevin Millwood.
• The Impact: Featured three future Hall of Famers in their prime.
• The Stats: Led the National League in ERA, WHIP, strikeouts, and shutouts, anchoring a 106-win team.

Why is the 2019 Astros rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Zack Greinke, and Wade Miley.
• The Impact: Featured two 300-strikeout teammates (Verlander and Cole) in the same rotation.
• The Stats: Verlander and Cole finished 1-2 in the AL Cy Young voting, making this modern powerhouse one of the most statistically overpowering groups ever assembled.

Why is the 1971 Orioles rotation legendary?

• The Pitchers: Dave McNally, Jim Palmer, Pat Dobson, and Mike Cuellar.
• The Impact: One of only two teams in MLB history (joining the 1920 Chicago White Sox) to feature four 20-game winners in a single season.
• The Stats: They didn’t just win games, they finished them. Throwing a collective 71 complete games meant they rarely had to hand the ball over to the bullpen.