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The expected pitching timeline has been set for Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound and Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided an exciting update regarding Ohtani’s pitching debut for the defending World Series champions.
Ohtani is likely to resume pitching in May, according to Roberts.
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“It might be earlier,” Roberts added during DodgerFest on Saturday, “but I think that the first thing I said earlier this offseason was it wasn’t going to be in the Japan Series. … Once he gets to spring training and we see where the throwing program is, I think we’ll just go from there.”
Ohtani didn’t pitch at all last season in his first year with the team as he recovered from a 2023 UCL repair procedure on his right elbow.
The three-time Most Valuable Player is now working his way back from a November procedure to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder from an injury sustained during Game 2 of the World Series when he slid awkwardly into second base.
Ohtani said he has resumed hitting and feels “on schedule” in his rehab despite the Dodgers having a shortened spring for the second consecutive season due to the Tokyo Series.
“The offseason was short. It actually felt short as well,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “And obviously, with the surgery, it was even shorter.”
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There is some uncertainty when it comes to Ohtani’s return to the mound. This was the second Tommy John surgery, as his first one came as a rookie in 2018. He made just two starts in 2020. By 2021, he was back to form on the mound, finishing with a 3.18 ERA over 23 starts.
Despite everything that Ohtani needs to overcome, his teammates have faith in his return and expect him to be fully healthy when the season-opener rolls around.
“I think his shoulder is going to be in a good spot,” said Freddie Freeman, who is also rehabbing from offseason surgery heading into spring training. “I mean, he’s got two arms that he’s rehabbing right now, but I think Shohei’s going to be Shohei.”
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Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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