Shohei Ohtani is aiming to return to his status as the game’s premier two-way star in 2025 by being an all-world designated hitter and elite starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Ohtani showcased his ceiling as a game-breaking offensive player last season with a historic run, all the while navigating a rehab process for the right elbow surgery he had in late 2023. Then in Game 3 of the World Series, Ohtani injured his left shoulder on a slide into second base, and ultimately underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum.
Ohtani has spent the offseason rehabbing the shoulder, maintaining that his goal is to be ready to hit the ground running when the Dodgers report to Spring Training.
“The schedule of how things will progress will depend on the kind of injury I sustained in the shoulder,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton. “But as of now, it seems like I’m on schedule. I’ve been able to work out every day and I’m really looking forward to being on time in Spring Training and for the season.”
The belief is Ohtani will have to slowly ramp up his activities as a pure two-way player. Still just a few months removed from that left shoulder surgery, there are a few boxes left to check.
“The shoulder surgery is a complicated surgery compared to the elbow,” Ohtani added. “I had to work on the range of motion and there’s some residual effect in the labrum. But regardless, working with the trainers and coaches, I feel like things are pretty smooth.”
Ohtani’s forgotten art among many is his prowess as a frontend starting pitcher. His last Major League start was for the Los Angeles Angels on Aug. 23, 2023.
Getting Ohtani back on a Major League mound would provide the Dodgers with another ace in their starting rotation, but the ongoing questions of when that time will come are accompanied by a semi-slowed buildup.
“It’s hard to actually pinpoint when exactly,” Ohtani said. “I think we’re generally looking at a potential range of a couple weeks to a month of leeway. I think the biggest determinant is going to be when I first pitch my bullpen, then I think we’ll really get a feel for when I’ll be able to be on a big league mound.”
Outlook for Shohei Ohtani as a pitcher
Even with the Dodgers having a stable of arms that can pitch at the front of their rotation, Ohtani has been one of the league’s top starters for a good period of time.
From 2021-2023, Ohtani went 34-16 with a 2.84 ERA, 3.21 xFIP, 1.05 WHIP, and a 31.4% strikeout rate. His peak can be electric, but there have been only a few arms to maintain their production after a second elbow surgery.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reiterated the initial plan is for Ohtani to not begin pitching in games until some point in May.
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