LOS ANGELES -- Shohei Ohtani will make his next start on the mound Monday as the Dodgers' two-way superstar progresses toward longer outings after elbow surgery.
He will open with three innings against the Minnesota Twins in his sixth start before giving way to Dustin May, manager Dave Roberts said.
Ohtani also pitched three innings in his latest start at San Francisco last Saturday. He allowed one hit, struck out four and walked one on 36 pitches. The right-hander has a 1.00 ERA, having pitched nine innings this season.
Roberts said Friday that Ohtani will have a multi-inning partner for at least a few more starts. He didn't pitch at all last season, his first with the Dodgers.
"My assumption is that we get up to four innings and then probably a repeat of four," Roberts said before his team's 2-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. "At that point then it's probably a normal game."
The Dodgers begin the second half atop the National League West standings and optimistic about getting reinforcements to bolster their injury-riddled pitching staff.
While Ohtani played in the All-Star Game in Atlanta this week, Roki Sasaki (shoulder) worked out over the break.
"Everything I hear has been positive," Roberts said. "Hopefully, we can keep building him up and face some hitters and get him out there competing again."
Sasaki's velocity has reached 90 mph, and "that's pretty good intensity right there," Roberts said.
Blake Snell (shoulder) is set to make his third rehab start Sunday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He will pitch three innings with an eventual goal of going four innings.
