Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited comeback to pitching has been postponed, as the Los Angeles Dodgers are taking a conservative approach to his recovery from UCL surgery. Despite Ohtani not experiencing any setbacks, the team has decided to ease his rehabilitation process focusing on ensuring his long-term strength rather than rushing his comeback.
Ohtani last threw a bullpen session on February 25, just days before making his spring training debut as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. Since then, he has focused solely on hitting, with the team halting his pitching workload. Manager Dave Roberts, who initially suggested Shohei Ohtani could return to the rotation by May, recently softened that stance.
“We just don’t know,” Roberts admitted when asked if the two-way star remains on track for a May debut. And the Dodgers’ pitching coach, Mark Prior concurred.
As per MLB TR’s Leo Morgenstern, Prior explained the adjustment in strategy by mentioning that the team is “trying to control overall workload management” and protecting Shohei Ohtani’s left shoulder which underwent surgery in November to evade further strain. As a result of this approach, Ohtani may hold off on going up against batters until after the team returns from Tokyo for the season’s kick-off games with the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers have a pitching staff that allows them to carefully plan Ohtani’s comeback strategy. Their roster of pitchers includes players such as Blake Snell, Roki Sasaki and Tony Gonsolin in addition to Yoshinobu Yamamoto, giving them the flexibility needed to manage Ohtani’s absence effectively. Considering Ohtani’s impact on the team’s accomplishments emphasizes the importance for the Dodgers to be cautious and prioritize his recovery properly. Rushing his return could lead to a worst-case scenario outweighing any short-term benefits he may gain from coming back too soon.
For now, Ohtani will continue to ramp up offensively while the team carefully navigates his return to the mound. Dodgers fans may have to wait longer than expected to see him pitching again, but given his value—both on the field and as a $700 million investment—patience is the smartest play.
Shohei Ohtani’s bat remains elite, even without pitching
Shohei Ohtani’s time away from pitching hasn’t affected his prowess at all. Despite not taking to the mound in 2024 and solely focusing on hitting instead, he clinched his third American League MVP trophy. In the season he achieved this feat, Ohtani displayed a batting average of .310 along with an on-base percentage of .390 and slugging percentage of .646. He smashed 54 home runs, stole 59 bases, and boasted an OPS exceeding 1.125. These stellar stats continue to redefine the benchmark for top hitters in the game. His consistently high level of performance despite recovering from surgery showcased his versatility and resilience as a hitter.
Ohtani’s offensive prowess is enhanced by his style of play—not dependent on sheer power but also showcasing elite plate discipline and the ability to hit for average with aggressive base running skills that establish him as a top-tier hitter in baseball circles. His strikeout and walk rates indicate a player committed to honing his strategy over time—posing a challenge for pitchers aiming to capitalize on any weaknesses he may possess. While the Dodgers gradually bring him back to the pitching mound his batting prowess continues to shine, solidifying his reputation as one of the batters in baseball.
In essence, the Dodgers are in no rush to get Shohei Ohtani back on the mound, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate returns. With a stacked rotation and Ohtani’s bat still elite, they can afford to be patient. When do you think Ohtani will finally take the mound, and will he return as the same dominant two-way force?
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