As the wait seemed never-ending, we finally have an update! After his last bullpen session on February 25, the Dodgers switched their aim to Shohei Ohtani’s hitting recovery in spring training. Since undergoing his second Tommy John surgery last September, Ohtani has prioritized his rehab while maintaining his production. He continued playing catch throughout camp, but the team was cautious about expediting his throwing program.
Now, excitement builds as Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that Ohtani will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, marking his first mound work in over a month. While May has been recommended as a potential return window, Roberts highlighted that no firm timeline exists. “This is a long-term play for Shohei’s well-being also,” Roberts added.
“So making sure that we are as cautious and careful as we possibly can be. And, yeah, for 2025, the most vital piece of this is having him be able to do both through the end of the season, through October.” He continued with “I do not know what that looks like, as far as leadership. I am not going to try to prognosticate, but I think that it is a fair take.”
Shohei Ohtani will throw a bullpen session on Saturday, Dave Roberts said
That would be Ohtani’s first time off the mound since Feb. 25. Roberts didn’t want to put a timeline on how long Ohtani’s ramp-up as a pitcher might take
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 24, 2025
With the Dodgers’ pitching depth often evaluated late in the season, the availability of Ohtani in the second half might be a primary boost. Ideally, Roberts visualizes him making 18-20 starts once fully jacked up. “We would bank that right now,” he announced.
Well, the speculation might be over – Saturday’s bullpen session will give a transparent look so far at his headway and how soon he might return to the rotation.
Integrating Shohei Ohtani into the Dodgers’ revamped rotation
With Ohtani stepping up his pitching recuperation, the Dodgers face a fascinating issue—where exactly does he fit into a preoccupied stockpile rotation? The team went all-in this offseason, acquiring two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell, Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki, and former AL strikeout leader Tyler Glasnow. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the $325 million ace, has already made an impression, while Bobby Miller remains a vital homegrown arm. This rotation is constructed for October success, but adding Shotime in the mix provides a luxury and a logistical provocation.
A healthy Ohtani has proven himself to be a forefront starter. In 2023, before his UCL injury, he posted a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in just 132 innings. His comeback will not just be about the addition of another dominant arm. But it will require careful workload management.
Glasnow has a history of injuries, Snell has rarely been a workhorse, and Sasaki is still adjusting to MLB’s demanding schedule. So, if Ohtani can provide the 18-20 starts Roberts aspires for, it could hugely alter LA’s rotation in the second half.
The front office likely anticipated this issue when assembling the roster. Their depth enables them to facilitate Ohtani without overworking him. But, it also raises a vital question: Will they reposition to a six-man rotation? Ohtani and Yamamoto are accustomed to extra rest from their time in Japan, making such a setup logical.
With October in mind, the Dodgers have constructed a rotation unlike any from recent memory. If Ohtani is back at his full strength, this could be the most formidable pitching staff in baseball. Think they might turn out to be a nightmare for the rest of the league?
The post Shohei Ohtani’s Long-Awaited Bullpen Return Date Revealed by Dave Roberts in Major Pitching Update appeared first on EssentiallySports.
