Dodgers Getting Shohei Ohtani and Will Smith Back Is a Late-Season Cheat Code

The Los Angeles Dodgers are about to get Shohei Ohtani back on the mound, which feels like a video game cheat code getting a late-season software update.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Will Smith is officially heading out on a rehab assignment, and Ohtani could be pitching in an actual major league game within a week.

"MLB Trade Rumors reported that Will Smith is starting a rehab assignment and Shohei Ohtani may pitch within a week."

Ohtani threw live batting practice on August 22 to test out his inflamed left knee. Apparently, the session went well enough that Los Angeles is ready to fast-track his return to the bump. Adding a generational two-way unicorn back to your rotation in late August is the kind of roster move that makes opposing managers want to throw their dugout iPads into the sun.

Meanwhile, Smith has been parked on the 60-day injured list since July with neck inflammation. He is scheduled to start his rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City on August 25, giving the Dodgers a massive boost behind the plate just in time for the stretch run.

Los Angeles is already rolling, having just swept the Pittsburgh Pirates while allowing a combined seven runs over three games. Now they head into a heavy-hitting road series against the Atlanta Braves.

If you are holding tickets on National League pennant futures, this is the exact moment the math changes. You do not need a finance degree to know that dropping Ohtani's arm and an All-Star catcher back into an already elite roster is going to tilt the odds board.

Ohtani’s next bullpen session will decide if he needs one more practice run or if he gets the green light for real game action. Either way, the rest of the league has about seven days to make their peace with the inevitable.