The Dodgers are prioritizing Shohei Ohtani’s health as they navigate a knee issue, with manager Dave Roberts indicating bullpen sessions and a gradual progression rather than an immediate return to the rotation. Ohtani has not pitched since early July but remains productive at the plate, and team officials emphasize that his value as a hitter heavily informs pitching workload decisions. Recent bullpens, including a 31-pitch session and earlier high-intensity work, have signaled gradual progress, with knee injections and mechanical adjustments aiming to restore his two-way impact. Discussions continue about timing for a return to starting duties, given the Dodgers’ playoff hopes and potential pursuit of Cy Young consideration while preserving lineup strength. There is context of trade deadline chatter and market upgrades, underscoring the balance the team seeks between health, performance, and championship aims. Across sources, the emphasis remains on managed risk for Ohtani and maintaining his hitting contribution as the organization eyes a return to pitching duties in coming weeks.