Dodgers starting pitcher Roki Sasaki has been out since a start on May 9 and it sounds like his first season stateside might well already be concluded. The 23-year-old rookie has been shut down from his throwing program while trying to work his way back from a shoulder impingement.

Even as the Dodgers are getting back Shohei Ohtani on the mound,  the banged-up Los Angeles pitching staff suffered another blow. The Dodgers announced Ohtani will start on Monday night against the Padres,

Although he won the 2024 National League MVP award and helped the Dodgers win the World Series, Shohei Ohtani had only given the Dodgers half of their expected return on investment — until now.

The Los Angeles Dodgers hoped that pitcher Roki Sasaki would return to the form he showed in Japan after a stint on the injured list. That time may be further away than the Dodgers anticipated.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated an Ohtani return could be near while speaking with reporters ahead of Sunday's game against the San Francisco Giants. He announced Ohtani would be throwing to live hitters early next week, then was asked if that would be his final step before making a full return to the mound.

At 40-27, the Dodgers lead the NL West, but by only 1 ½ games over the San Francisco Giants. It's a one-game lead in the loss column. The Dodgers started the season 8-0, their best start since moving to Los Angeles in 1958, but are 32-27 since. They're 16-16 in their last 32 games. That's not bad, but it is a month-long stretch of mediocre ball.