Dodgers fans have eagerly anticipated the return of Shohei Ohtani to the pitching mound, and that moment seems to be just around the corner. Manager Dave Roberts has informed reporters, including Dylan Hernandez from The Los Angeles Times, that Ohtani is “most likely” set to make his much-anticipated pitching debut during the Dodgers' upcoming series against the San Diego Padres.
Shortly after this announcement, the Dodgers confirmed that their two-way superstar will indeed take the mound tomorrow night against San Diego. This long-awaited return comes much sooner than many expected. Initially, offseason projections had Ohtani returning from his September 2023 elbow surgery in May. However, those hopes were dashed when his pitching rehabilitation was paused in late February.
Ohtani did return to ramping up his pitching regimen shortly after Opening Day, yet the timeline for his return remained vague, as Dodgers officials offered little clarity throughout the season. Most believed that Ohtani would be back on the mound sometime in the second half of the season. Nonetheless, Roberts hinted earlier this week that there was a possibility Ohtani could return before the All-Star break.
The latest update, indicating that Ohtani will pitch tomorrow night, marks a significant advancement in his recovery, occurring a full month earlier than even the most optimistic forecasts. The narrative around Ohtani's return shifted quickly today, with Roberts telling reporters, including Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, that the plan was for Ohtani to face hitters early this week before potentially rejoining the big league pitching staff.
In a light-hearted exchange, Ohtani himself suggested that his return could happen sooner than anticipated when he playfully responded, “What do you think?” when asked about pitching before the All-Star break. He confirmed that “something like that” was indeed on the table.
After the Dodgers secured a win over the Giants, Roberts revised his earlier comments about Ohtani facing live hitters this week. He indicated that Ohtani would likely serve as an opener during the Padres series, which was solidified by the organization’s announcement that he will pitch opposite Dylan Cease tomorrow evening.
Despite the seemingly hurried and somewhat disorganized nature of the decision to start Ohtani tomorrow, it's evident that the Dodgers organization is confident in his readiness to pitch in competitive games. Ohtani's most recent session on the mound lasted three simulated innings and included 44 pitches, garnering positive feedback from Dodgers management. Pitching coach Mark Prior shared with reporters, including Ardaya, that “he was doing whatever he wanted with the baseball, with every pitch he wanted to” during Tuesday’s session.
As the excitement builds for Ohtani's return, fans and analysts alike will be closely watching how he performs on the mound once again. Stay tuned for more updates on this thrilling development in the Dodgers season.
