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NEW YORK -- Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to throw another bullpen Saturday at Citi Field, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he doesn't expect the two-way superstar to return to the rotation by next week.
"That's too early. I feel very good that it won't be next week," Roberts said Friday before the opener of a three-game series against the New York Mets.
"Every player wants to get back out there and do what they do. But I think he understands it's not about July, it's about October. So, we've already taken a lot of time to get him back to full health, so we're not going to start earlier than we need to."
The two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers began the day with the best record in the majors at 65-38 and an 11-game lead in the NL West.
Ohtani hasn't pitched since July 3 because of left knee irritation. But the Dodgers say it doesn't bother him when hitting, and he's remained in the starting lineup regularly.
The designated hitter batted in his usual leadoff spot Friday night against the last-place Mets.
Ohtani is 8-2 with a 1.79 ERA and 95 strikeouts in 85ª innings over 14 starts and has won his past six decisions. The four-time MVP was batting .283 with 22 homers, 60 RBIs and a .917 OPS.
Follow the rules
PHILADELPHIA -- New York Yankee Jose Caballero has to make a choice, and hopefully, it is one that won't cause a lot of problems with Major League Baseball.
Caballero said he is still deciding how to respond after being told by Major League Baseball that he is no longer permitted to wait to acknowledge the pitcher until just before the pitch timer reaches 8 seconds.
"When I get in the box, we'll see," Caballero said before the start of Friday night's game in Philadelphia.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he has had numerous conversations with Michael Hill, MLB's senior vice president of on-field operations, attempting to gain clarity on the issue.
The verdict: Caballero must adjust.
"At the end of the day, they decide the rules," Boone said. "We have to try and comply with them, which we certainly have done. There obviously needs to be some kind of adjustment, so we'll do that."
Caballero briefly listened in on a call between games of Wednesday's doubleheader in Pittsburgh, saying, "They said what they had to say. They are the league. They control (the rules), and I have to obey."
Boone said he's not concerned about the adjustment costing Caballero any of his edge.
"He's a killer," Boone said. "He knows how to play. He'll do what he needs to do to adjust."