Dodger BlueDodger BlueDodger Blue
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Font ResizerAa
Dodger BlueDodger Blue
Font ResizerAa
  • Dodgers News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
  • Team
  • Video
  • Odds
  • About
Search
  • Dodgers News
    • MLB News
  • Rumors
  • Schedules
    • 2025 Spring Training
    • 2025 Dodger Stadium giveaways
    • 2025 regular season
  • Team
    • Active roster
    • Salaries
  • Video
  • Odds
    • MLB Odds
    • NHL Odds
    • NFL Odds
    • NBA Odds
    • NCAAF Odds
    • NCAAB Odds
    • CFL Odds
    • UFC Odds
    • Boxing Odds
    • MLS Odds
    • PGA Odds
  • About
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
Follow US
© 2024 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Dodger Blue > Dodgers News > Dodgers Expect Shohei Ohtani To Be ‘Top-End Starter’
Dodgers News

Dodgers Expect Shohei Ohtani To Be ‘Top-End Starter’

Matt Borelli
May 30, 2025
3 Min Read
SHARE

Shohei Ohtani put together a historic 2024 season with the Los Angeles Dodgers despite being limited to designated hitter duties while recovering from a second career right elbow surgery.

The two-way star is expected to return to the mound this season and cleared a major hurdle when he faced batters for the first time before the Dodgers’ series finale against the New York Mets at Citi Field.

Ohtani incorporated all of his pitches, including a curveball and slider that he only recently began throwing from flat ground. Ohtani also sat in the 94-97 mph range with his fastball, which was another encouraging sign as the 30-year-old works his way back to pitching.

While most pitchers deal with rust upon their return from surgery, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team expects Ohtani to be a frontline-caliber starter when he is cleared to pitch in big league games, even after not pitching for a lengthy amount of time, via Jorge Castillo of ESPN.com:

“If it kind of works out as it should, he’s a top-end starter,” Roberts said, “and so that’s kind of all of our expectations.”

Ohtani established himself as one of the best starting pitchers in baseball during his time with the Los Angeles Angels, going 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA, 3.31 FIP, 1.08 WHIP and 11.4 strikeouts per nine across 481.2 innings.

Ohtani enjoyed his best season on the mound in 2022 when he posted a 2.33 ERA in 28 starts and finished fourth in American League Cy Young Award voting.

If Ohtani can get back to that level — or even close to it — he would provide a significant boost to a Dodgers rotation that is currently without Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki and Blake Snell due to injury. Of course, by the time Ohtani is ready to pitch for the Dodgers, they hope to have each of the aforementioned starters back in the rotation.

Shohei Ohtani’s new pitching schedule

Prior to facing batters last week, Ohtani had been on a schedule of throwing a light bullpen session every Wednesday and fuller work off the mound on Saturdays.

The three-time MVP recently confirmed that live batting practice sessions are now going to be a regular part of his weekly routine.

The Dodgers have not set a firm timeline for Ohtani to make his return to pitching this season. However, it has been reported that he won’t do so until after the All-Star break.

Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!

Total
0
Shares
Share 0
Tweet 0
Pin it 0
Share 0
TAGGED:Los Angeles DodgersShohei Ohtani
ByMatt Borelli
Matt Borelli covers the Los Angeles Dodgers as a staff writer for Dodger Blue and holds similar responsibilities for Lakers Nation, a sister site with an emphasis on the Los Angeles Lakers. He also contributes to RamsNewswire.com and RaidersNewswire.com. An avid fantasy sports player, Matt is a former 2014 MLB Beat the Streak co-champion. His favorite Dodgers moment, among a list of many, is Clayton Kershaw's no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies in 2014. Follow him on Twitter: @mcborelli.
Ad imageAd image
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

You Might Also Like

Alex-wood-4
Game Central

Preview: Alex Wood Starts With Dodgers Looking To Right Ship Against Padres

April 29, 2016
April 29, 2016
Clayton Kershaw, 2019 MLB All-Star Game
Dodgers NewsFeatured

Dodgers News: Clayton Kershaw Going To ‘Take It All In’ At 2022 MLB All-Star Game

July 11, 2022
July 11, 2022
Miguel Rojas, Jake McCarthy
Dodgers NewsFeatured

2024 Dodgers Standings Update: NL West Outlook For Aug. 26-Sept. 1

August 26, 2024
October 25, 2024
Trea Turner, Bobby Miller
FeaturedGame Central

Recap: Bobby Miller Unable To Slow Down Phillies In Dodgers Loss

July 9, 2024
July 10, 2024

Categories

  • News
  • Rumors
  • Games
  • History

Information

  • Advertise
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Get breaking Dodgers News direct to your inbox.

© 2025 Medium Large Sports Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?

  • 日本語
  • 한국어