Shohei Ohtani played in 245 games with the Los Angeles Dodgers before making any appearance on the mound, but that came to an end on Monday against the San Diego Padres.
The performance was such an impressive display of how far Ohtani has come in a rehab process that created the opportunity for him to return well ahead of schedule.
While the Dodgers had become more receptive to the idea of Ohtani pitching before the All-Star break, the start against the Padres came as a surprise for how quickly the plan was set in motion. Particularly when factoring in Ohtani had only started to face batters in late May.
“With each bullpen, each live, it was kind of a free-flowing conversation to make sure he’s feeling good, he’s bouncing back,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. “Because this is such a unique scenario, making sure we’re not doing anything to put the offensive side in jeopardy.
“It was only really up until this week or so, having the conversations, that it was like, ‘OK, this is a real possibility.'”
The Dodgers have been planning with Ohtani every step of the way and at no point was a decision made without his input. It’s the approach the team takes with all of its players, but it was especially important in this unique situation.
Because there isn’t a step-by-step guide for rehabbing a pitcher coming off a second career Tommy John surgery, who also happens to be the everyday designated hitter, Ohtani has been a vital part of the conversation.
Even though only 22 days had passed between Ohtani’s first time facing batters and his start Monday night, the Dodgers are confident timing is right for him to return to a Major League mound. The positive results have been stacking with each bullpen and live throwing session, and Ohtani’s simulated game on June 10 was the greatest indicator that he was ready.
“The stuff was really impressive,” Gomes said. “The movement and command combination, the interplay of his pitches, what he was doing in the bullpens early on, you could put that into the game and you would feel good about it.
“Obviously, the intensity and everything is going to be different once he steps in between the lines, but it’s been really encouraging overall the way he’s bounced back and been able to continue to feel good.
“All things point to him continuing to feel good and be ready to perform.”
For Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, it was a matter of trusting Ohtani when he said he was ready.
“I think it was more of like, ‘Well, I don’t think there’s anything else to do. I’m ready to go. What else do I need to do to get on a Major League mound?’ So I think it’s more of you start trying to treat him like a normal pitcher, or a normal ramp up, normal buildup,” Roberts said.
“If it’s going to be an inning or two, it’s like, ‘Well, I’ve already done that. So can I pitch now?’ You’ve got to hear the player and trust the player.”
Shohei Ohtani reflects on first Dodgers start
Making his first start in almost two years, Ohtani allowed one run on two hits in one inning of work against the Padres. His command left something to be desired, but it was a good first step overall.
“I’m not quite happy with the results overall, but I think the biggest takeaway for me is I feel good enough to make my next outing,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton.
The plan is for Ohtani to start roughly once per week, ideally building up his innings with each outing.
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