The Los Angeles Dodgers have navigated a complex offseason regarding their pitching roster, facing challenges ranging from an abundance of starting-caliber pitchers to the more recent uncertainty surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound. The status of the National League MVP’s pitching comeback has become a focal point for the team.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Abundance Of Caution For Shohei Ohtani’s Rehab
Recently, the Dodgers paused Ohtani’s throwing progression, allowing him to concentrate on his role as the team’s designated hitter. While the initial expectation was for Ohtani to make his pitching debut in May, this timeline is no longer certain. Manager Dave Roberts clarified that Ohtani is still throwing, but the timing of his next bullpen session remains undetermined. “He’s been throwing. He hasn’t stopped throwing. But I don’t know when he’s going to throw his next bullpen,” Roberts explained. “He understood the process. He’s ramped up with the hitting and to let that (pitching) part of the process slow down and not intensify both things, he was on board.”
Given the Dodgers’ current depth in pitching talent, prioritizing Ohtani’s readiness for major league hitting is a prudent strategy. This approach is further justified by Ohtani’s recovery from not only his 2023 UCL surgery but also a torn labrum sustained in the World Series, which necessitated surgery. Focusing on one aspect of his game at a time is deemed most beneficial for the superstar.
Ohtani’s focus on hitting last season yielded historic results. He not only secured the MVP award but also became the first player in MLB history to hit 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases in the same season. Dodgers fans, just beginning a decade-long contract with this generational talent, eagerly await his pitching debut. As Ohtani continues to make history, he will strive to contribute to the Dodgers’ pursuit of becoming the first team in a quarter-century to win back-to-back World Series championships.