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Dodgers' Dave Roberts Makes Decision After Shohei Ohtani Pitching Debut

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Zach Kaplan | Last updated Jun 17, 2025 4:46 PM ET

Shohei Ohtani made his first appearance on the mound since August of 2023, a consequence a September surgery to repair damage in his throwing elbow.

While Ohtani was able to excel as the Dodgers' designated hitter in 2024, the real draw was his ability to pitch at an elite level while also swinging a hot bat in the same game.

Manager Dave Roberts, who said he was "kind of fanboying" for half an inning, will manage the National League All-Star squad at the Midsummer Classic in Atlanta.

While Ohtani will undoubtedly join Roberts at Truist Park, Roberts also made a decision on who he would send to finish the National League's coaching staff.

The MLB announced that Roberts had invited Braves manager Brian Snitker along with Marlins manager Clayton McCullough to also coach the National League side in July.

Snitker's nomination isn't surprising, as the Braves will host the festivities, and Snitker is well-respected across the league. The surprising bit is inviting McCullough, whose Marlins are the fourth-worst team in baseball.

McCullough was the Dodgers' first base coach from 2021 to 2024 before getting hired by the Marlins to manage the team, so that likely explains Roberts' decision.

Roberts joined Yankees manager Aaron Boone as the skippers for this year's game, a rite he earned by winning the National League pennant in 2024.

Roberts will likely get to manage several of his own players, including catcher Will Smith (1.12 million votes), Ohtani (1.4 million votes), Freddie Freeman (1.14 million votes) and Teoscar Hernandez (685,553 votes).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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