The Los Angeles Dodgers took a deliberate approach with Shohei Ohtani as he began working toward a pitching return this season, and that’s carried through each of his 11 starts so far this year.
Ohtani initially began facing batters in simulated games of one and two innings. But there then was a shift to effectively continue the rehab process with the Dodgers in Major League games.
Ohtani made his Dodgers pitching debut against the San Diego Padres on June 16, throwing one inning. He repeated a one-inning start six days later and has been on a steady progression since that point.
After falling short of the goal in back-to-back starts, Ohtani completed five innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday night. He additionally collected a season-high nine strikeouts and threw 87 pitches, which represented his most of the year.
Equally as notable as reaching multiple season-high totals was Ohtani incorporating a bevy of his secondary and offspeed pitches in a stark reversal from prior starts.
“As we were just progressing through this rehab in general, aside from the innings, I wanted to be able to incorporate other pitches,” Ohtani explained through interpreter Will Ireton. “So that was really my intent going in.
“With the doctor consultation, the number goal was to make sure my fastball and velocity was where I want it to be. So curveball and split was less of a priority going into this rehab process.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed that he believed Ohtani had become reliant on “predictable fastballs” and sought to make corrections.
Ohtani threw seven different pitches throughout his start, led by 23 curveballs. That was followed by 16 sweepers, 15 four-seam fastballs, 11 splitters, eight cutters, seven sliders and seven sinkers.
Shohei Ohtani innings limit?
While Ohtani has been on a gradual buildup with his starts, Roberts on multiple instances noted the Dodgers weren’t going to extend him beyond five innings during the regular season. He explained doing so wasn’t worth the health risk it would bring about for the two-way star.
However, the door appears to be somewhat open for a shift in strategy.
When asked after the series finale against the Reds if the Dodgers still planned on five innings being the limit for Ohtani this season, Roberts answered, “For now, yes.”
The possibility of extending beyond that threshold certainly appears to be of interest to the 31-year-old.
“The fact that I was able to reach five innings was really key in terms of moving forward,” Ohtani said. “I think moving forward, it’s going to be a collaboration between the doctors, front office and Dave Roberts in terms of how we want to proceed if I’m going to throw more than five.”
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