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Earlier this week, we wrote a story about how Shohei Ohtani's recent labrum surgery could delay his return to the mound in 2025.
A story in the Los Angeles Times essentially confirms that will be the case.
Ohtani’s shoulder procedure, fortunately, was to his non-throwing arm, and isn’t expected to have any “big-picture” impact on his ability to pitch next year, according to general manager Brandon Gomes.
But it will add another complication to the 30-year-old’s offseason throwing program — and will probably push back his timeline to join the Dodgers’ starting rotation next season.
Gomes reportedly didn't say that Ohtani definitely won't be ready for Opening Day in 2025, but it seems unlikely. Not only will Ohtani need to keep his left shoulder immobilized for a period of time this offseason, he also hasn't fully completed his rehab from Tommy John surgery yet. With that now being further delayed, the Dodgers surely won't rush Ohtani back to the mound and will give him time to get his workload back up.
Furthermore, there's no pressure to rush him back, seeing as how the team just won the World Series.
As a pitcher, Ohtani is 38-19 lifetime with a 3.01 ERA. He's struck out 608 batters in 481.2 innings. He's made 86 starts, all for the Angels.
Even without pitching this year, Ohtani is set to win his third MVP Award in the last four years. He hit 54 homers and had 59 stolen bases. He injured the shoulder during Game 2 of the World Series.
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D-backs Pitcher Enters Free Agency
As the World Series comes to a conclusion, the MLB offseason officially commences. That means three of the Arizona Diamondbacks pending free agents have officially entered free agency, One such free agent is left-hander Jalen Beeks. Beeks, alongside former ace Zac Gallen and veteran backup catcher James McCann, were listed among the 137 players hitting free agency, in a statement released by the MLB Players' Association. For more on Gallen's free agency, check out the below article: Related Content: Zac Gallen Takes First Free Agency Step The D-backs are among the teams with the lower free agent departure totals. With the five-day "quiet period" following the World Series, teams will have the option to re-sign their own players without competition. Unlike Gallen, Beeks is an arm that seems like a much more reasonable re-sign for Arizona. Arizona Diamondbacks' Jalen Beeks Enters Free Agency The 32-year-old veteran left-hander was a last-second pickup for GM Mike Hazen and the D-backs, joining the team just prior to Opening Day. He quickly became one of the few arms trusted to take on a workhorse load out of the bullpen, as Arizona's relief corps suffered injury after injury. And he certainly did take a large share of the innings. Beeks tossed 57.1 innings, and likely would have been used even more if not for an IL stint (followed by careful usage) in the latter third of the regular season. Still, the lefty posted a solid 3.77 ERA, inflated somewhat by a few blowup outings. He's also had generally solid, if not eye-popping peripheral metrics, even during some of his uglier ERA seasons. Finding quality left-handed relief pitching is no easy feat. Considering Beeks made only $1.25 million with Arizona in 2025, even a slight increase in that amount would likely be money well spent. Related Content: Diamondbacks Have to Address This Bullpen Need Again The Diamondbacks already face an uphill battle with regard to bolstering their bullpen and starting rotation. An in-house option with a history of stability would be a beneficial return, even if regression is a distinct possibility. Regardless, the Diamondbacks absolutely must make an attempt at acquiring a closer (as well as another legitimate leverage arm) if they want to weather the storm before Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk return. Beeks does not necessarily fill that type of role, but he does have leverage experience, and would likely perform well in a middle-relief role without the pressure of having to serve as the setup man or closer in 2026. Related Content: Should the Diamondbacks Bring Back this Veteran Reliever? Arizona Diamondbacks Latest News
The 'NBA 20-season club' quiz
Kyle Lowry checked in for the end of the Philadelphia 76ers 129-105 victory over the Brooklyn Nets and he joined an elite group once he stepped on the hardwood. The Villanova product and former 24th-overall pick in the 2006 NBA draft became the 12th player in NBA history to play in 20 NBA seasons. It was Lowry’s first game action of the season for the 5-1 Sixers, and the Philadelphia-native made his lone field goal attempt in garbage time. “Who would have thought it for Kyle Lowry 20 years ago, right?” said head coach Nick Nurse after the win. While Lowry doesn’t have much of a role on the floor for Philadelphia at this stage of his career, Nurse said he’s still a valuable asset to the team. “He’s done a great job being part of our leadership group,” Nurse said of Lowry. “When the players are pulling for him out there, you can tell he’s well-liked and well-respected.” Which brings us to today’s quiz. How many of the 12 NBA players to play in at least 20 seasons can you name in five minutes? Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!
Raiders inquired on Giants G Evan Neal
The Raiders’ Alex Leatherwood first-round pick became emblematic of a regime that struggled in the draft. Leatherwood was off the roster after one season, being waived in 2022. He never started another game following his 2021 rookie season. A year after the Raiders missed on Leatherwood, the Giants missed on one of his college teammates. Chosen seventh overall in 2022, Evan Neal struggled at right tackle and has not seen the field after a conversion to guard this year. The Giants are believed to be ready to move on, and Neal is as well. The current Raiders regime has expressed a degree of interest. Las Vegas discussed Neal with New York earlier this month, according to The Exhibit’s Josina Anderson. While these talks are classified as exploratory in nature, it is interesting to hear the Raiders were interested in the contract-year blocker. Neal played right tackle opposite Leatherwood for the 2020 Crimson Tide, a team that won a national championship. The Mac Jones blockers obviously did not carry that form to the NFL level, with Neal receiving more chances than his former Crimson Tide teammate. Neal has made 27 starts with the Giants, including seven last season. Pro Football Focus graded him as the NFL’s second-worst tackle in 2022 and ’23, and an ankle fracture interfered with his development as well. With Neal viewed as a near-consensus top-10 value in 2022, compared to Leatherwood being deemed a Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock reach in the moment, it would stand to reason a team will take a flier on him in free agency next year. But time is running out for the 25-year-old blocker. It is clear the Raiders are one of the teams with a more positive view of Neal, who will be viewed as a reclamation project now or if/when he leaves New York in free agency. The Giants have used ex-Raiders starters Greg Van Roten, who beat out Neal in the team’s right guard competition this summer, and Jermaine Eluemunor on the right side of their offensive line. The Raiders have used Jackson Powers-Johnson as their primary RG, with DJ Glaze at RT for the second straight season. Alex Cappa resides as a guard backup.
Could Dolphins fire Mike McDaniel before season ends after parting ways with Chris Grier?
Shortly after Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross announced on Friday that the Dolphins and general manager Chris Grier had "mutually" agreed to part ways, a report revealed that Mike McDaniel would "remain Miami’s head coach for the remainder of the season at least." It appears not everybody is convinced McDaniel will stay employed through Week 18 of the ongoing campaign. When could Dolphins part ways with Mike McDaniel? "Nothing is guaranteed for McDaniel at the end of the season, or even over the next few weeks, including a stand-alone game in Madrid followed by a bye," NFL insider Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote on Monday. "But he has a chance to prove himself, as Ross, team president Tom Garfinkel and Ross' advisors try to chart a course. I would guess that leads the Dolphins to a new head of football ops, and that person would make a call on McDaniel — unless McDaniel’s grip on the locker room slips (that’d be the one way McDaniel could still lose his job in-season)." McDaniel was the subject of hot-seat rumors long before the Dolphins fell to 2-7 on the season via an ugly 28-6 home loss to the Baltimore Ravens this past Thursday night. The Dolphins notched zero postseason wins over McDaniel's first three campaigns in charge, and the club's culture under the advertised offensive guru has come into question. On Monday, Miami made it known the club is ready to sell ahead of Tuesday's trade deadline when it agreed to send pass-rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2026 third-round draft pick. In short, things could get worse for the 2025 Dolphins before they get better. Why Stephen Ross may be ready to blow things up Miami hosts the 6-2 Buffalo Bills on Nov. 9 before the Dolphins face the Washington Commanders (3-6) in Madrid on Nov. 16. It seems as if Breer thinks there's a chance Ross could fire McDaniel during Miami's Week 12 bye. "Ross, now in his 18th season as owner, hasn’t won a playoff game," Breer added. "His once-proud franchise last won one in Grier’s first year there as a scout, and Dave Wannstedt’s first year as coach (2000). That’s the longest such drought in the NFL, which illustrates how far they are from the days of Dan Marino in South Florida." As of Monday afternoon, ESPN BET had the Dolphins as 8.5-point home underdogs against the Bills. On paper, the roster McDaniel will have available to him for that matchup will be weaker than the one that was blown out on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 9.
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