Shohei Ohtani, who is widely expected to secure a second consecutive National League MVP award, is making progress in his pitching rehab with the Los Angeles Dodgers but will not be participating in minor-league rehab starts for the time being. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently provided insight into Ohtani’s recovery plan and the reasoning behind his current approach to returning on the mound.
Ohtani’s Progress and Current Recovery Approach
Ohtani has not pitched since August 23, 2023, following an injury that required surgery to repair a torn UCL in his throwing elbow while he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Despite signing a historic 10-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers—largely because of his dual impact as both a hitter and pitcher—Ohtani has yet to make his pitching debut for Los Angeles. His career pitching record stands at 38 wins and 19 losses, with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP over 86 starts.
Recently, Ohtani took a significant step by throwing a live bullpen session at Citi Field as the Dodgers faced the New York Mets. During this session, he threw 22 pitches against five hitters, signaling measurable progress in his rehabilitation process. However, the Dodgers have decided against sending him on a standard minor-league rehab assignment to pitch in a live game setting, a typical next step in a pitcher’s recovery journey.
Why the Dodgers Are Avoiding Traditional Rehab Starts
Manager Dave Roberts explained that while building up pitching endurance is crucial, Ohtani’s role as one of the team’s most valuable hitters also plays a major part in how his recovery is structured. Roberts pointed out the importance of Ohtani taking regular at-bats in Major League games:
“But so is him taking five at-bats in a game.” —Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
Ohtani currently boasts an outstanding .292/.394/.648 slash line, with an OPS of 1.042, ranking third in the majors behind only teammate Freddie Freeman and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. He leads the league in home runs with 20 and runs scored with 59. Given his critical offensive contributions, the Dodgers want to maintain his presence in the lineup without subjecting him to the additional workload and uncertainty associated with minor-league pitching assignments.
Instead of rehab starts, Ohtani is likely to continue with controlled bullpen sessions and simulated games, gradually increasing the number of pitches thrown to rebuild stamina and pitching mechanics safely.
Timeline and Expectations for Ohtani’s Return on the Mound
The Dodgers are proceeding cautiously with Ohtani’s recovery to avoid setbacks, especially considering the team’s shortage of available starting pitchers, including Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Blake Snell. While there is a desire to see Ohtani pitch in live games again, the club is focused on ensuring that his return is as smooth and sustainable as possible.
Ohtani himself expressed optimism after his recent bullpen session, reflecting on the progress made and looking ahead to future steps:
“Just really felt good overall, just looking at the overall execution,”
—Shohei Ohtani, through his interpreter
He added:
“I haven’t thrown (to hitters) in a while, so it was nice to be able to feel like I was a pitcher. I just kind of remembered those days when I used to have a lot of good memories as a pitcher.”
—Shohei Ohtani, through his interpreter
During this bullpen session, pitching coach Mark Prior noted that Ohtani reached a maximum velocity of 97 mph on his fastball and consistently threw around 95 mph, which indicates solid progress especially given the live hitters present. Ohtani acknowledged the natural intensity that comes from pitching against live batters:
“I am aware that I do throw a little harder when there is a hitter in the box,”
—Shohei Ohtani, through his interpreter
He further explained:
“I try to keep it 93-4, but I know I was touching 96 and 7s, which I wanted to not do. But it’s a good sign that I could hit that.”
—Shohei Ohtani, through his interpreter
The Road Ahead for Ohtani and the Dodgers’ Pitching Staff
Shohei Ohtani’s cautious pitching rehab approach reflects the Dodgers’ desire to protect their unique two-way talent while balancing the need for his offensive contributions. By opting to forego the typical minor-league rehab starts, Los Angeles is prioritizing his long-term effectiveness on the mound and in the batter’s box. With ongoing bullpen sessions and simulated pitching opportunities, Ohtani is inching closer to returning on the mound amidst a Dodgers roster facing significant pitching shortages.
The team’s patience may prove essential in ensuring that Ohtani can contribute fully as both a hitter and pitcher throughout the season, preserving his health and maximizing his impact for years to come.