Remember the moment Shohei Ohtani joined the Dodgers in 2024? For fans, it felt like a dream-come-true-moment! The game’s most electrifying two-way star donning Dodger Blue. And that dream only grew brighter as Ohtani helped lead the team to a World Series title that same year, delivering with his bat in the biggest moments.
But there’s still one piece of the Ohtani experience that’s been missing. Yes, one dream left unfulfilled. We’ve yet to see him take the mound as a Dodger. Since he departed from the Angels, Ohtani has been limited to hitting as he recovers from elbow surgery. However, that might be about to change.
Yes, Dodgers fans, the wait may soon be over. If the signs are right, this could be the week we finally see Shohei Ohtani throwing to live batters in a Dodgers uniform. And when that happens, the dream will finally be complete. “I think anything should be on the table,” the Dodgers’ manager, Dave Roberts, said before Saturday night’s game against the Mets. So, what’s on the table?
As per reports, Ohtani might pitch to live batters on Sunday. His first time doing so since his September 2023 surgery. And while there’s still caution in the air, Roberts hasn’t ruled out the possibility of a minor league rehab start! With minor league teams off on Mondays, the only day that lines up with the Dodgers’ off day next month is Thursday, June 12. That’s the most realistic window for Ohtani to make a tune-up appearance before his long-awaited return to the mound in the big leagues.
So yes, Ohtani might be throwing to the live batters in a minor game. However, it is still an option for the Dodgers, and there’s nothing concrete about it. We know how delicate Ohtani is for the team and how desperately they need the batting service from him. Hence, it won’t be surprising if Ohtani’s minor league rehabilitation game gets postponed.
However, the rumors just proved that the timeline of Ohtani’s recovery is absolutely in place.
While Ohtani is now throwing a 50-pitch bullpen session, an increase from 35 pitches previously. This move still involves risks. Roberts acknowledged that as Ohtani ramps up his pitching workload in rehab, it may come with a tradeoff. A dip in offensive production as the designated hitter. Hence, it’s a fine line the team will need to monitor closely as he progresses.
Ohtani’s hitting is too good to make a trade
Just a few days ago, Ohtani was under scrutiny for what many viewed as a slump. Questions were prompted about whether his offensive rhythm was being impacted by the increased demands of his pitching rehab. But throughout that stretch, manager Dave Roberts and teammates like Mookie Betts remained steadfast in their support, insisting it was only a matter of time before he turned things around.
Fast forward to now, and Ohtani has done just that and more. Heading into Saturday’s game, he led the NL with 17 home runs, trailing only Aaron Judge’s 18 for the MLB lead. Moreover, his .643 slugging percentage ranks second in the NL, behind only Freddie Freeman, further underscoring how quickly the narrative has flipped.
Hence, it’s a testament to both Ohtani’s resilience and the trust his team has in his ability to perform through the highs and lows of a uniquely demanding role.
Now the bigger question arises. Are the Dodgers ready to compromise with Ohtani’s hitting for the sake of getting him to the mound? Now, that’s the only reason the club is not rushing Ohtani to pitch. Considering the current starting rotation, including Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dustin May, and Tony Gonsolin, the Dodgers might work without the service of Ohtani. But in the batting lineup, Ohtani is irreplaceable!
Nevertheless, we just hope that Shohei Ohtani comes back to the mound at the earliest.
The post Dave Roberts Reveals Major Step Dodgers Are Considering for Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return appeared first on EssentiallySports.
