Ohtani’s latest turn on the mound wasn’t what fantasy managers hoped for. Four innings, five earned runs and nine hits—the roughest line he’s posted in quite a while—set off alarms, even as he stayed in the game as the DH before being pulled. A comebacker off Orlando Arcia left him briefly shaken, and there’s no clear word yet on whether the leg issue will linger. The Dodgers had already planned a day off Thursday, and the weekend series with San Diego looms large for first-place implications. If he’s back in the lineup Friday, Ohtani’s two-way value remains enormous, but workload concerns could temper expectations.

Meanwhile, LA’s rotation and lineup will be under the microscope as they reset for a Padres series that could swing the division race. Alex Call drew the pinch-hit for Ohtani, a reminder that LA’s depth will matter if the superstar is limited. For fantasy owners, the takeaway is to monitor Ohtani’s health and how the Dodgers manage his exposure in the near term, because a healthy return could deliver ceiling-busting fantasy weeks, while any precautionary pauses may curb his upside until he’s fully locked in.

Ohtani’s first pitching outing back from elbow surgery at Coors Field ended rough, as five earned runs and nine hits over four innings helped fuel an 8-3 Dodgers loss to the Rockies. A 93 mph line drive struck him on the thigh, prompting a mound visit but he stayed to record two outs in the fourth. He returned to the mound for the fifth, walked in a plate appearance, and finished with a 66-pitch outing. Despite the cratered line, Los Angeles remains optimistic he’ll start again Friday against San Diego.

Offensively, Ohtani did his part with a double and a walk, extending his on-base streak to 18 games, and he’s batting .284 with 44 homers and 83 RBIs this season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stressed it was the thigh and not the knee that caused concern and expressed confidence Ohtani will push through Friday’s start. Colorado’s win was powered by Coors Field’s environment and a Rockies lineup that capitalized early, leaving LA to recalibrate for the Padres series.

Alongside Ohtani, Orlando Arcia’s hard contact off the bat of Colorado’s Orlando Arcia produced the moment that triggered the incident, while Dodgers reserve Alex Call later appeared in the eighth and struck out after drawing a walk earlier in the game. The night also carried a notable stat line for Schwarber in the NL, as his 44 homers sit near the league lead. The Padres loom next for LA, with the Dodgers needing a bounce-back showing from their two-way star in a favorable hitter-friendly setting.

New York holds a one-game cushion for the final Wild Card berth as the postseason chase drags on, and the heat on Aaron Boone grows louder in the spotlight that follows the Yankees. Chris Russo’s top-10 list places Boone in a tight pack, eighth at best, with several peers clearly ahead. The debate isn’t just about one season — it’s about the leverage the manager has to squeeze wins from a loaded roster when stress is highest.

A broader chessboard emerges as the chatter pivots to alternatives: Francona’s potential fit in New York, the vibe around Bochy, Lovullo, Roberts, Hinch, and Counsell, and whether the Yankees could have called Tito Francona in the offseason for a high-stakes reset. Meanwhile Francona is steering a Reds resurgence, underscoring how leadership changes can ripple through an organization even as playoff positions tighten. The piece closes with an acknowledgment of the depth in MLB management and the reality that a storied franchise isn’t guaranteed the exact driver it imagines.

The Los Angeles Dodgers experienced yet another disappointing loss, falling 10-7 to the Minnesota Twins amid a disastrous bullpen performance that allowed six runs in just two innings. This marks the Dodgers' 11th loss in 14 games, raising serious concerns about their bullpen depth as the trade deadline approaches. Manager Dave Roberts expressed urgency for improvement, especially after placing their top reliever Tanner Scott on the injured list with elbow inflammation.

The team's pitching woes are compounded by injuries to key bullpen members, including Blake Treinen and Michael Kopech. Despite having the heaviest workload in the majors, the Dodgers' relievers rank 24th in ERA and WHIP, leading to questions about potential trade acquisitions to fortify the bullpen before the deadline. General manager Brandon Gomes remains optimistic about their talent once they return to health, highlighting the need for immediate action to address their current struggles.