Yashinobu Yamamoto has been a true ace for the Dodgers in 2025, but Ohtani's pitching talent is enough that, when the time comes, he could be a Game 1 starter in a playoff series. If the Dodgers have a tough decision on their hands in that regard come Fall, then Ohtani's return went incredibly well.

Dodgers have been cautious and methodical with Ohtani’s workload as a pitcher, seeing anything beyond five innings in a regular-season start as unnecessary.