On Tuesday night at Petco Park, the Dodgers could have used one. In recent years, the club has punted on plenty of games in the interest of protecting their often injury-riddled and shorthanded pitching staffs. But in an 11-1 loss to the San Diego Padres, they took the act of de facto forfeiture to levels even they hadn’t previously pioneered.

The San Diego Padres capitalized on the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lack of major league pitchers for an 11-1 victory

For the first time since Shohei Ohtani put on a Los Angeles Dodgers uniform, it finally feels like his return to pitching is close. On Tuesday, Ohtani took a major step in his recovery, throwing a three inning simulated game against minor leaguers at Petco Park ahead of the Dodgers' second game of their series against the San Diego Padres.

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pitched a three-inning simulated game on Tuesday, increasing optimism about his return to the mound in the major leagues.

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn't rule out the idea two-way star Shohei Ohtani returns to the pitching mound before the All-Star break.