The Los Angeles Dodgers are expecting Shohei Ohtani to contribute to their starting rotation this season, but the exact date that will begin is still unknown as they slowly work him back onto the mound.
The initial target of May that Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggested earlier this year seems to be in doubt now that Ohtani’s progression for a return to pitching was recently put on hold.
Due to the increased workload for Ohtani as he prepared for his designated hitter duties in the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers decided it would be best to take a break from his pitching routine. Thus, Ohtani has not thrown a bullpen session since Feb. 25.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior admitted that Ohtani’s unique skillset as a two-way player is unfamiliar territory for the organization and resulted in an ultra-careful approach, with the team relying on Ohtani as their best resource for managing his workload, according to Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“It’s been one of those things where … we’re having to lean on him a lot,” Prior said Friday. “We don’t really have this template or road map or even experience really dealing with a guy with a two-way situation. So we’re leaning on him, on how he’s feeling. I know they’re trying to control overall workload management with his left shoulder, coming back from that (surgery). The hitting, getting ready for the season – clearly, he’s an important part of our offensive side of the ball.
“I think right now, there’s a little bit of a shift towards making sure he’s dialed in, ready to go, from a DH standpoint. It was going to get a little weird, you know, in Japan, just because of the days off and workouts and stuff like that. So I think this was a good time to just kind of like de-load and make sure he’s geared up, ready to go, and then continue to throw and then gear up once we get back.”
Balancing Ohtani’s role as a key cog of the offense with his rehab as a pitcher as forced the Dodgers to get creative and be flexible in their approach:
“It’s not something that’s ideal,” Prior said. “But you find different ways. It’s not something personally or professionally we’ve gone through, as far as trying to manage.
“There are a lot of variables that are unique to his situation. So I think it’s just about having an open mind and trying to be cautiously optimistic and take the right approach. Again, a lot of this is kind of where Sho is at and making sure he feels comfortable with what he’s doing.”
Whenever he is able to pitch for the Dodgers, Roberts hopes that Ohtani can be similarly dominant on the mound as he was at the plate last season.
There of course will be some tradeoff, as Ohtani presumably will not look to steal the same number of bases.
Shohei Ohtani part of Fortnite’s Icon Series
Ohtani is set to become the latest addition to Fortnite’s Icon Series with a Dodgers skin and a a high heat samurai suit skin. Both skins will be available through separate Fortnite bundles available for purchase beginning at 5 p.m. PT on March 17.
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