The Los Angeles Dodgers will have three of their injured pitchers face hitters, according to The Athletic‘s Fabian Ardaya. Shohei Ohtani, Justin Wrobleski, and Edwin Diaz were throwing in uniform, which Ardaya notes is a sign they will be throwing live batting practice.
All three pitchers play a key role on the Dodgers’ pitching staff. Ohtani and Wrobleski, both named 2026 National League All-Stars, are in their six-man rotation. Diaz was paid to close games for them.
The Dodgers hope to have all three pitchers back before the postseason starts. With as many capable arms available, that gives manager Dave Roberts more flexibility with his pitching staff in October.
One notable example comes in Game 7 of the 2025 World Series, where Roberts used all four of his postseason starters in the game.
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GettyDodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani has been limited to 85.2 innings in 2026. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
Getting Shohei Ohtani back is the biggest deal of the three pitchers, as his value comes as both an MVP-caliber slugger and a Cy Young-caliber pitcher on the mound at the same time. While he’s been battling a knee injury since June, it’s mostly affected his ability to pitch more than to hit.
Attempting to pitch through the injury created a compensation injury in his right biceps. Considering its proximity to the elbow, the Dodgers shut down Ohtani from pitching.
Ohtani has been limited to just 85.2 innings this season. The right-hander has been effective when on the mound, with a 1.79 ERA and a 27.9% strikeout rate.
Wrobleski is battling a left forearm injury. The Dodgers said at the time it would be a short stint on the injured list. The left-hander was placed on the IL on August 15, so it’s still at least a week before he can throw again.
The left-hander likely won’t factor into the club’s postseason rotation, but he’s still a hard-throwing left-hander who can eat up innings. He has a 3.56 ERA in 126.1 innings this season.
Most likely, Wrobleski will need to make at least one rehab start before getting activated after August 30.
Another development concerning the Dodgers’ rotation is right-hander Tyler Glasnow’s recovery from a back injury. Glasnow has been out since May 6, but is currently rehabbing with Triple-A Oklahoma City.
He’s expected to be activated from the 60-day injured list when the Dodgers travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves, per DodgersBeat.
The Dodgers should have an enviable rotation situation when they get Ohtani, Glasnow, and Wrobleski back. They already have Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tarik Skubal, Roki Sasaki, and Blake Snell to consider.
Edwin Diaz’s Injury Situation
GettyEdwin Diaz’s first season with the Dodgers has been a near-disaster. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
The Dodgers paid Edwin Diaz $23 million per year to be their ninth-inning stopper. However, the veteran closer has been ineffective battled injuries all season. He was placed on the 15-day injured list with neck inflammation on August 17.
In 16 appearances, Diaz has a 11.85 ERA and seven saves in 13.1 innings. Once one of the best pitchers at missing bats, his strikeout rate has dipped to 24.7% in 2026. His fastball velocity has also taken a hit, clocking in at only 96.3 MPH.
The Dodgers’ bullpen has held steady, given the sheer number of high-octane arms in the unit. Tanner Scott, who the team paid a premium for last season, has stepped in as the closer while Diaz has been on the injured list.
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