Shohei Ohtani‘s return to the mound is one of the season’s biggest storylines. No doubts about that! But expectedly, the Los Angeles Dodgers are handling their superstar with extreme care. And this cautious approach has prompted conversation among analysts and observers alike. The exact timetable and plan for his full two-way return have been a subject of curiosity.
Ohtani is recovering from his second major elbow UCL repair (September 2023) and left shoulder surgery. His 2025 throwing program includes some light bullpen sessions. He had thrown 31 pitches on April 26 and 35 on May 4. Manager Dave Roberts observed increased velocity, with Ohtani sitting between 90-92 mph. But as he mentioned, Ohtani is still “a couple of months away” from game action.
Ohtani, for his part, believes his program affords the “luxury to dial it back” and lean on hitting first, which was already in the works, “according to plan.”
And now, the Dodgers’ strategy has drawn the attention of Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Costas. Speaking on the Dan Patrick Show, Costas suggested the team has flexibility. If Ohtani pushes to pitch sooner, Costas believes the “Dodgers can deny him that.” He considered alternative roles, stating, “Maybe they use him out of the bullpen. That’s the way to do it.”
So, it feels like caution will prevail, at least until we near October!
Costas also explained why the Dodgers could consider going with such a cautious, perhaps modified strategy. “Dodgers are a great organisation…they have injuries.” He noted that they have a tendency to “slow walk a lot of guys,” and referenced the ongoing rehab of Clayton Kershaw among others. Kershaw recently “threw like six seven perfect innings…in the minor league.” Costas exclaimed, “Maybe a reliever for them rather than a starter.”
And so, this cautious handling of veterans, combined with potential postseason bullpen needs, shapes his view on Ohtani’s path.
The Dodgers’ Ohtani dilemma
Interestingly, Ohtani’s performance as a hitter drops off a bit when he pitches as well. In 2022, his OPS was .736 in games he pitched. This is compared to .924 when he was only the designated hitter. The splits in his career also reveal the same thing: A .787 OPS when pitching versus .893 when only hitting. While not huge, this is evidence that hitting is the way to get the most from him offensively.
Well, the Dodgers are likely aware of this as they manage his return. They certainly don’t want to lose Ohtani’s current offensive powerhouse. As of May 10, he is batting .304 with 12 homers and a spectacular 1.063 OPS. He also paces the National League in runs scored and slugging percentage. His three-run, go-ahead homer against Arizona on May 9 showcased his timely hitting capabilities. Plus, he was also the first MLB player this season to have 10 homers and 10 stolen bases.
This incredible production this season comes after the historic 2024 campaign. Playing exclusively as DH, Ohtani won the National League MVP unanimously. He hit .310 with 54 home runs, 130 RBIs, and an incredible 59 stolen bases. He was the first player with a 50/50 season (50+ HRs, 50+ SBs). Shotime’s offensive value alone was comparable to his previous two-way MVP seasons.
Still, the Dodgers would eventually require Ohtani – the pitcher. His career pitching stats are elite: 38-19 record, 3.01 ERA, and an even more impressive 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings. These statistics slot him in with frontline starters.
With the Dodgers’ current rotation arms like Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell facing injuries, and Roki Sasaki still developing, Ohtani’s return to form on the mound would significantly boost the Dodgers‘ championship aspirations.
Los Angeles is navigating a unique situation with a generational talent. They are balancing Ohtani‘s incredible offensive production with a cautious approach to his pitching comeback. This “slow play” aims for long-term health and success. Are you game for this, too?
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