Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and hitter Shohei Ohtani faced hitters in live batting practice on Sunday afternoon for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023. This session marked an important step in Ohtani’s recovery as he gradually rebuilds strength and returns to pitching form.
Ohtani threw 22 pitches over five plate appearances against teammates Hyeseong Kim, Dalton Rushing, and Dodgers’ game-planning coach J.T. Watkins, under the watchful eyes of Dodgers staff. Pitching coach Mark Prior revealed that Ohtani’s throwing velocity reached 97 mph during the session, signaling encouraging progress in his rehabilitation.
Team Management Confident in Ohtani’s Potential Return as Top Starter
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed optimism about Ohtani’s pitching future following the throwing session.
“If it kind of works out as it should, he’s a top-end starter,”
Roberts said.
“And so that’s kind of all of our expectations.”
This indicates the team’s high hopes for Ohtani to regain his prominent role in the Dodgers’ rotation once fully recovered.
Unlike a typical minor-league rehab path, the Dodgers plan to keep Ohtani with the major league team during his pitching recovery. This approach allows him to stay available as a hitter while participating in carefully controlled simulated games to rebuild his pitching stamina. This method mirrors the approach the Los Angeles Angels took when Ohtani returned from his previous elbow surgery in October 2018.
Ohtani’s Pitching Credentials and Dodgers’ Rotation Needs
Prior to his elbow injury in 2023, Ohtani had pitched 132 innings with a 3.14 ERA and recorded 167 strikeouts, underscoring his effectiveness on the mound. Over the 2021-23 period, he posted a 2.84 ERA with 542 strikeouts across 428 1/3 innings, confirming his status as a difference-making pitcher for the Dodgers.
Los Angeles currently faces significant rotation challenges, with seven starting pitchers on the injured list excluding Ohtani, who remains active as a hitter but is not yet pitching in games. The team’s current rotation depth includes injured pitchers like Glasnow and Snell, both beginning throwing programs but still several weeks away from game action. Ohtani’s ramp-up will likely be more cautious, extending beyond the typical six-week progression from throwing catch to MLB pitching appearances.
Dodgers Managing Pitching Staff Amidst Injuries and High Payroll
Despite a payroll approaching $400 million, the Dodgers have relied on 13 different starting pitchers in just 52 games, the highest in the league. This extensive rotation use is partially intentional, as the team views the regular season as preparation for postseason success. The Dodgers prioritize maintaining their pitchers’ health and readiness for October, influencing how they handle injured players including Ohtani.
At the time of this update, the Dodgers held first place in the NL West with a 32-20 record. Ohtani continues to contribute as a hitter, boasting a .296/.390/.631 batting line with 17 home runs and 11 stolen bases this season. His three-time unanimous MVP status reflects his impact as a two-way player.