A.J. Pierzynski has seen a lot in his two decades around baseball. But even he raised an eyebrow after a recent behind-closed-doors conversation with Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts. Sitting in a quiet media session surrounded by fellow insiders, Pierzynski didn’t get clichés or coachspeak. Instead, he walked away with the early blueprint of what might become the most fascinating storyline of the 2025 season — the return of Shohei Ohtani as the most anticipated pitcher.

Shohei Ohtani, who’s been limited to designated hitter duties following his second elbow surgery, has quietly begun throwing bullpens again. A 26-pitch session here, a splitter mixed in there. But don’t confuse quiet for inactive. Dave Roberts is methodically laying out a plan, and it doesn’t involve minor league tune-ups or any sense of urgency. In fact, it’s the opposite.

“They’re slow-playing it,” Pierzynski revealed on Foul Territory. “Because they want him (Shohei Ohtani) for October.”

And just like that, the Dodgers’ intentions come into focus. They’re not aiming for Shohei Ohtani to dominate summer headlines — they want him ready to dominate when the stakes are highest. This isn’t about wins in June or ramping up pitch counts in July. This is about unleashing a fully loaded Ohtani in October, when legacies are written and banners are won.

But here’s the twist: Even Dave Roberts admitted he doesn’t know exactly how the comeback will look. Maybe Shohei Ohtani piggybacks off a starter like Blake Snell. Maybe he slides into high-leverage relief. Or maybe — just maybe — he saves his bullets for a heroic postseason start. “I don’t know,” Roberts smiled through the uncertainty.

Now, it seems that’s not a lack of planning. That’s a calculated mystery.

The Dodgers are threading the needle here — balancing patience with ambition, health with history. They’re playing the long game with the most unique talent in baseball history. And if the plan works? Ohtani could step back onto the mound after more than a year… and instantly tilt the October landscape.

So, while the rest of the league watches box scores, the Dodgers are playing chess behind the scenes. And somewhere in the bullpen, Ohtani is sharpening his pieces.

Why every Sim game matters for Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani

To the casual eye, Shohei Ohtani tossing pitches in a backfield sim game might not look like much. No crowd, no cameras, no scoreboard. But make no mistake — every pitch he throws in those quiet sessions is a blueprint being drawn. These aren’t tune-ups; they’re test drives. The Dodgers and Roberts are measuring everything: velocity, recovery, command, even how he feels the next day. It’s low-profile on the surface, but under the hood? It’s elite-level data gathering.

Here’s the kicker — these games are the runway. There may be no minor league tour or flashy “rehab start” announcement. This is how Ohtani builds back: In the shadows, on his own terms, surrounded by the people who know his body and his arsenal best. And each sim game is one step closer to flipping the switch. When that day comes — whether it’s late September or Game 1 of the NLDS — the baseball world won’t ask if he’s ready. They’ll ask how long he’s been quietly preparing to dominate.

In the end, Shohei Ohtani isn’t just working his way back — he’s waiting for the perfect moment. LA knows it, and they’re playing the long game to perfection. When the lights are brightest, their ace-in-waiting might be the final checkmate.