Shohei Ohtani took part in a live batting practice session on Sunday, marking a notable step in his ongoing recovery from a shoulder injury. This activity took place shortly before the Los Angeles Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets, signaling progress in his rehabilitation process. Throughout this period, Ohtani has maintained his position in the Dodgers’ lineup as a designated hitter while continuing with his throwing program.

Progress and Expectations for Ohtani’s Return to Pitching

Dodgers fans and the team have been eagerly anticipating the return of their versatile star. According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, the plan for Ohtani to resume pitching around May remains on track, as reported by The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya. This aligns with the gradual recovery timeline following the injury he sustained last season.

Details of the Injury and Its Impact

The injury occurred in Game 2 of the World Series against the New York Yankees, when Ohtani suffered a labrum tear in his left shoulder during an awkward slide attempting to steal second base. After landing hard on his shoulder, he was assisted off the field by trainers. Despite the pain, Ohtani continued to play through the series, though his batting performance showed signs of discomfort. His left shoulder, which is his non-throwing arm, was affected, and Ohtani indicated this did not interfere with his swing or throwing motion.

Especially because that would have been [his] throwing shoulder if it was lead shoulder,

Brandon Gomes, the Dodgers’ general manager, explained during the World Series.

I think the fact that it was back shoulder, non-throwing arm and back arm for swinging, it’s just far less of a concern of how violent any of that would be as opposed to if it were the other one.

Current Performance and Future Outlook

Since returning to the lineup this season, Ohtani has displayed strong offensive numbers, batting .296 with an on-base percentage of .378 and slugging .642. He has also tallied 17 home runs, 31 RBIs, and a 1.020 OPS. As he continues to rebuild strength and confidence through live batting practice and throwing sessions, his full return to pitching is highly anticipated by the team and fans alike.

The progress seen in his live batting practice marks an important milestone in Ohtani’s rehabilitation, suggesting that he is steadily moving closer to resuming his role as a two-way player for the Dodgers. This development holds significant implications for the team’s competitiveness as the season advances.