Shohei Ohtani pitched three scoreless innings against the Giants on Saturday, marking his longest outing on the mound this season. He struck out four batters while allowing just one hit and one walk, demonstrating his growing effectiveness as the MLB Draft approaches Sunday and the All-Star Game follows on Tuesday.
Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic highlighted Ohtani’s increased use of his fastball during this strong performance, emphasizing how it reflects his impressive return from surgery.
It’s a flex of how good he’s looked in his return from surgery: power at the plate and on the mound.
—Fabian Ardaya, Writer at The Athletic
Freddie Freeman Works Through Struggles for Dodgers
Despite doubling on Saturday, Freddie Freeman has experienced a slump since late May, hitting just .196/.265/.268 while showing fewer walks and more strikeouts. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts addressed Freeman’s recent struggles, offering insight and encouragement.
I think the swing-and-miss. I think the chase. I think that when there’s balls in the hitting zone, kind of not squaring it up the way he usually does – those are things that are signs that he’s just not right,
Roberts said.
We all know that. We see it. But he’s just too good of a player not to come out of it.
—Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
Dodgers Coach and Family Connections to Baseball
Melissa Lockard and Fabian Ardaya at The Athletic reported on Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel and his two sons, Brady and Trey, both of whom are baseball players at Corona High School. Brady is a highly regarded prospect in this year’s MLB Draft, while Trey is eligible for the draft in 2026, highlighting a family deeply embedded in the sport.
Josue De Paula Shines in Futures Game at Truist Park
Dodgers outfield prospect Josue De Paula homered during Saturday’s Futures Game at Truist Park in Atlanta, earning the Larry Doby Award as the game’s Most Valuable Player. De Paula credited offseason workouts with fellow Dominican stars Juan Soto and Elly De la Cruz as key to his growth this season, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times spoke with De Paula’s teammate Zyhir Hope, who praised him for his demeanor and work ethic.
Everything … He takes it easily. He’s calm, relaxed and laid back, but he works hard. He’s a great dude.
—Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times
Discussing the Futures Game and Its Future Prospects
With a notably sparse crowd at Truist Park, J.J. Cooper of Baseball America suggested potential improvements to the Futures Game to increase interest and attendance. Among his proposals was extending the game to a full nine innings instead of seven. However, Cooper also pointed out challenges connected to scheduling the Futures Game at different times to avoid conflicts with major league games.
Looking Ahead as the Midseason Break Approaches
As the Dodgers head into the All-Star break, Shohei Ohtani’s pitching performance promises strong contributions for the team moving forward. Although some players like Freddie Freeman continue to work through slumps, the mix of experienced leadership and emerging prospects like Josue De Paula provides optimism. The developments in coaching and player growth, alongside discussions on improving league showcases such as the Futures Game, indicate an evolving landscape as the season progresses past its midpoint.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?
A. Since at least 1901, only he and Ohtani have achieved this milestone for the Dodgers. Ohtani was already unique having hit 43 home runs and stolen 43 bases before reaching the 50-50 club. To put his accomplishment in context: hitting 51 home runs, he set a new record for the number of home runs in a season with 50 steals.