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Dodgers Ace Ohtani Bounces Back from Illness, Starts Friday
4 Sep
Summary
- Ohtani scratched from Wednesday start due to illness, but returns Friday
- Ohtani replaces Tyler Glasnow in Friday's lineup against the Orioles
- Ohtani has made 11 starts this season, gradually increasing his workload
As of September 5th, 2025, Dodgers ace Shohei Ohtani is set to make his return to the mound on Friday, just days after being scratched from a scheduled start due to illness.
Ohtani was initially slated to pitch on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was a late scratch due to a chest cold. However, the Dodgers decided that the illness was not severe enough to keep Ohtani out of the lineup entirely, and he went on to record two hits in the game.
Now, the Dodgers have announced that Ohtani will start on Friday against the Baltimore Orioles, replacing Tyler Glasnow, who was originally scheduled to take the mound that day. It's unclear why Glasnow was scratched from the start.
This will be Ohtani's 12th start of the season as he continues to ramp up his workload after a nearly two-year pitching layoff due to a second elbow surgery. So far, the two-way star has been effective at times, though his 4.18 ERA would be the worst of his career in a season with 10 or more starts.
The Dodgers are hoping Ohtani can continue to increase his innings and regain his prior dominant form in time for the postseason, without putting his MVP-caliber batting at risk. Friday's start against the Orioles will be an important step in that process.
