The Los Angeles Dodgers have navigated a starting pitching staff decimated by injuries that have put a great deal of their top-end options out of commission. That list also includes Shohei Ohtani, who continues his push toward regaining his complete two-way status.
Having to use more arms than they thought would be necessary, there has been some intrigue that coincides with Ohtani’s rehab and throwing program.
There’s some thought that Ohtani could face batters in a simulated game before the 2024 season concludes.
But Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes emphatically ruled out the notion that Ohtani would possibly pitchi n a game, during the regular season or playoffs, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“He’s not pitching for us this year. He’s not,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said.
The Dodgers have received production from some of their up-and-coming young arms who also figure to be a big part of plans moving forward. Gomes explained that because of their current mix, the Dodgers aren’t in a place where they’ll even consider having Ohtani take the mound:
“We’ve got a lot of good pitchers,” Gomes said of the hypothetical postseason scenario. “There’s no world where he’s pitching for us this postseason.”
Risking any of Ohtani’s future for what would be a short-term gain understandably isn’t in the plans for the Dodgers. Their hesitancy to push Ohtani ahead of any timeline would be against how the organization has handled pitchers in the past, none of whom have the financial ties the 29-year-old does.
The bright side of the equation, however, is Ohtani’s continued rehab has gone incredibly smooth, and all things are pointing toward pitching in 2025.
Will Shohei Ohtani be ready to pitch by Opening Day 2025?
Ohtani is currently on track to be in a position to make significant strides toward being full-go when the Dodgers report to Camelback Ranch for the start of 2025 Spring Training.
Their calendar is again accelerated because of starting next season with the Tokyo Series, but Ohtani should be in position to pitch in Japan against the Chicago Cubs.
At his peak, Ohtani is one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, but the number of arms that come back from two significant elbow surgeries is short. The hope is with his talent and pure ability that Ohtani will continue to be a unique talent.
As recent as 2022, he finished fourth in the American League Cy Young Award race, posting a 2.33 ERA with 219 strikeouts over 166 innings pitched.
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