CITY – May 16, 2024 –
The status of Shohei Ohtani’s pitching progress is carefully monitored by the Los Angeles Dodgers, following surgeries on his right UCL and left shoulder. Recent bullpen sessions have incorporated sliders and curveballs.Manager dave Roberts has hinted at a potential increase in intensity. The team is prioritizing his complete recovery before he faces live hitters, as reported by multiple sources. the timeline is uncertain, but the All-Star break is seen as a target.
Ohtani’s Pitching Progress: A Cautious Climb Back to the Mound
The Road to Recovery: A Deliberate Approach
Los Angeles Dodgers fans eagerly await Shohei Ohtani’s return to the pitching mound. However, the team is proceeding with caution, intentionally managing his buildup to ensure a full and lasting recovery. Ohtani is recovering from a procedure on his right ulnar collateral ligament, performed in September 2023, and left shoulder labrum surgery from last November. This careful approach is designed to prevent setbacks and optimize his long-term performance.
Recent Progress: Mixing in the Arsenal
Ohtani’s rehabilitation has shown promising signs. Recently, he incorporated sliders and curveballs into his bullpen sessions for the first time. This occurred before the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium. His current schedule involves a lighter bullpen session midweek, followed by a more intensive throwing day on Saturdays. He recently threw 50 pitches with an up-down.
Did you know? The “up-down” drill simulates game conditions by having a pitcher throw a set number of pitches, then rest, mimicking an inning break.
The Next Hurdle: Facing Hitters
The Dodgers have set a clear benchmark for Ohtani’s progression. He must demonstrate command of his entire pitching repertoire before advancing to face live hitters. This stage represents a notable step forward in his rehabilitation. According to manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani is nearing this milestone.
He was spinning it a little bit more in the touch-and-feel. I’m not sure what’s to come. Hopefully, he comes out of it well, which is what I would expect.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers manager
Roberts also hinted at a potential increase in intensity during Ohtani’s upcoming session at citi Field on Saturday.
And then, we’ll see what he does at Citi Field on Saturday, but there might be a little bit more of a progression increase.So we’ll see what that means.
Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager
When asked if this progression could mean facing hitters, Roberts remained coy, stating, I don’t know, we’ll see.
Strategic Patience: A Long-Term Vision
The Dodgers’ cautious approach stems from Ohtani’s recent surgeries. The left shoulder labrum surgery, in particular, necessitated a more conservative timeline.andrew Friedman, president of baseball operations, emphasized the importance of ensuring Ohtani’s complete recovery before increasing the intensity of his pitching regimen.
We knew, especially after the left shoulder surgery, we were just going to be a little bit more cautious and make sure that this got to a really good spot before we really started upping the intensity on the pitching side.And for us, with him coming off that injury, we didn’t expect … [to] think it was fair to think about a wire to wire.
Andrew Friedman,Dodgers President of Baseball Operations
While there is no firm timeline for Ohtani’s return to the major league mound,it is unlikely to occur before the All-Star break.
Pro Tip: Shoulder labrum surgery frequently enough requires a longer recovery period for pitchers due to the intricate movements and stress placed on the shoulder joint during throwing.
Simulated Games: The Final Stage
Once Ohtani begins facing hitters, the Dodgers will gain a clearer understanding of his readiness. The team plans to forgo Minor League rehab starts. Rather,Ohtani will build up his stamina and refine his skills through simulated games,preparing him for the rigors of Major League competition.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Ohtani return to pitching?
Likely sometime after the All-Star break, but there is no firm timeline.
Why is the Dodgers taking it slow?
To ensure full recovery from right UCL and left shoulder surgeries.
will Ohtani pitch in the minor leagues before returning?
No, he will build up through simulated games.
