The Los Angeles Dodgers' plan to use a six-man rotation this season is on hold until one of the half-dozen, star right-hander Shohei Ohtani, returns to the mound in May, according to the team's president of baseball operations.

The Dodgers reversed course on how they'll configure their rotation to open the season, as president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman said Friday that the team will use five starting pitchers until Shohei Ohtani returns to the big league mound.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have received a major update regarding Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching, and it fits right into their long-term game plan. Ohtani, who had a second major elbow surgery, hasn’t thrown a pitch since August 2023.