Ohtani expected to make final 1st-half start Friday vs. Arizona

LOS ANGELES -- After tweaking his right biceps during his last two-way outing, Shohei Ohtani remains on turn to make his final pitching start of the first half in Friday night's series opener against the D-backs at Dodger Stadium, manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani only felt his biceps issue while hitting -- and he got over it after a couple of days -- so that alone was not the reason there was some question of whether he would make his next start. Ohtani has also dealt with lingering soreness in his left knee and a blister on his right hand for the past month, in addition to the heavy workload that comes with beginning the season as a full two-way player for the first time since 2023.

"As he goes through the next couple days, if he doesn't feel great, we'll pivot, and we're prepared to pivot," Roberts said Tuesday. "But as we sit here, I don't see that changing."

The Dodgers have had to be mindful with their management of Ohtani's two-way workload this year. The upcoming All-Star break should provide Ohtani a bit of a chance to reset, even though he will hit in the Midsummer Classic as the National League's starting DH.

"When you're Shohei, he understands the responsibility he has, so I do think that there's a middle for what's best for him, what potentially could be downside, but also what's best for the game," Roberts said. "Don't see him in the Home Run Derby, don't see him pitching [in the All-Star Game], but I do see him taking an at-bat or two."

Ohtani has gone 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA, which ranks second only to Jacob Misiorowski (1.69) among Major Leaguers who have pitched at least 75 innings. But since Ohtani's physical issues have popped up, his performance has dropped off a bit.

After allowing seven runs (five earned) through 61 innings in his first 10 starts, Ohtani has given up 14 runs (12 earned) in 24 2/3 innings in his last four starts.

Three of those last four outings were quality starts, and the Dodgers won three out of the four. But Ohtani set a high standard with his early performance, and he hasn't been as sharp lately.

"Shohei, the stuff that he has, he’s just got to be more efficient to get into that seventh inning," Roberts said after Ohtani struck out nine and allowed three runs in six innings in his previous start against the Padres last Friday. "And the last few starts, he just hasn’t given himself a chance.”

Ohtani will look to finish up his first half as a pitcher strong against the D-backs, against whom he tossed six scoreless innings -- while also reaching base five times -- earlier this year at Chase Field.