Shohei Ohtani continues to work his way back to the mound after not pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 2024 season while recovering from a second Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani started throwing bullpen sessions during some workouts at Camelback Ranch, but temporarily stopped so he could prepare to hit in the Tokyo Series.
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The two-way star has since resumed his pitching schedule and most recently threw off the mound at Nationals Park. He is now slated to have a more traditional bullpen session this weekend.
Ohtani has been encouraged with his bullpen sessions and believes he is in a good place with his health, via Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“I think the bullpens are going well,” said Ohtani, who is now more than 18 months removed from his second career Tommy John procedure and is expected to return to pitching at some point this season. “I think I’m in a really good place feel-wise.”
Ohtani’s upcoming pitching schedule keeps in line with what he just completed this past week. The Dodgers are trying to keep him on a seven-day program, which will be similar to his schedule when he joins the starting rotation.
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since Aug. 23, 2023. When he returns, the right-hander is expected to pitch out of the windup for the first time in his career.
Ohtani began experimenting with the new delivery during Spring Training in pursuit of improving as a pitcher.
Shohei Ohtani makes progress
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said Ohtani’s latest bullpen included throwing a splitter for the first time since restarting his progression.
Up until that point, Ohtani had been limited to throwing fastballs (two-seamer, four-seam, cutter) in his bullpens.
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