Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani continues his pitching rehab and is inching closer to a return to the mound.
He has had multiple bullpen sessions since the season began and has had no setbacks that we know of.
While the Dodgers could use him in the rotation with the injury to Blake Snell and the up-and-down starts to the season for Roki Sasaki and Dustin May, it is a long season, and there is no sense in rushing his return. The real plan is for him to be in the rotation at his best for another World Series run.
A new report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale just dropped that is encouraging but also somewhat unsettling.
New Report On Dodgers Star Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Timeline
There was outside hope that Shohei Ohtani would make his debut on the mound in the Tokyo Series to start the season. That faded before Spring Training, and then the tentative debut date became sometime in May.
According to Nightengale, it could end up being much later than that.
“If the Los Angeles Dodgers actually needed him, Shohei Ohtani could step on the mound right now and contribute, according to a person close to Ohtani, but his return is looking like it may come closer to the All-Star break.”
It is actually somewhat shocking to hear that Ohtani could potentially go right now if the Dodgers were in a pinch and really needed him. That proves that his rehab is going well, and his velocity is returning to what he and the team want it to be.
However, it is a bit mysterious why they would then push his debut back to the Mid-Summer Classic in July, nearly two full months later than the potential May date.
Also Read: Los Angeles Dodgers Reportedly Negotiating Potential Blockbuster Trade With Chicago White Sox
I don’t think there is any reason to be concerned, but it is interesting and confusing why there is such a large gap.
However, if the Dodgers’ pitching stays on the inconsistent path that it is on, and if Ohtani is healthy enough, he will certainly need to make his debut sooner to keep the team afloat.
Thoughts, Dodgers Nation?