Shohei Ohtani News: Making next start Saturday

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Thursday that Ohtani will make his next start as a pitcher Saturday in Kansas City, Sonja Chen of MLB.com reports.

Ohtani will be taking the mound for the third time this season after previously tossing one inning in both of his previous two starts. The Dodgers have been deliberately easing the two-way superstar back in as a pitcher coming off his September 2023 Tommy John surgery, and it's not yet clear if he will be cleared to increase his workload Saturday. Ohtani has served as the Dodgers' designated hitter and has batted leadoff in both games he's pitched in so far, so his scheduled appearance on the mound shouldn't affect his presence in the lineup. Ben Casparius will most likely work in bulk relief behind Ohtani.