Ohtani: Final Sim Game Before Return?
- Shohei Ohtani's highly anticipated pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers might potentially be just around the corner.
- Ohtani recently threw 44 pitches over three innings in a simulated game at Petco Park.
- The Dodgers can utilize Ohtani's two-way designation,allowing him to pitch two to three innings with a "piggyback" starter following.
Shohei Ohtani‘s Dodgers pitching debut is imminent,with a simulated game perhaps being his final hurdle before returning to the mound.Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggests Ohtani could join the rotation within the week.Ohtani showcased command in a recent simulated game, and the team may use his two-way designation. However, Roki Sasaki faces an uncertain season due to a shoulder issue, pausing his throwing program after a recent cortisone injection.This report from News Directory 3 offers a concise update on the dodgers’ pitching staff and the potential impact of Ohtani’s return. Discover what’s next for the Dodgers’ rotation.
Ohtani’s Pitching role with Dodgers Nears; Sasaki’s Season Uncertain
Updated June 16, 2025
Shohei Ohtani’s highly anticipated pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers might potentially be just around the corner. Manager Dave Roberts indicated Sunday that Ohtani is slated to pitch another simulated game soon, possibly his last before joining the rotation. Sources suggest Ohtani could be pitching in a Major League Baseball game within the week.
Ohtani recently threw 44 pitches over three innings in a simulated game at Petco Park. His fastball reached the mid- to upper-90s, and he demonstrated command of his off-speed pitches. Roberts said there was a chance Ohtani could join the rotation before the All-Star break.
The Dodgers can utilize Ohtani’s two-way designation,allowing him to pitch two to three innings with a “piggyback” starter following. This approach appears to be the team’s current plan. The Dodgers’ pitching staff has been hit hard by injuries, with 14 pitchers currently on the injured list.Key starters Blake Snell, Tony Gonsolin, Roki Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow are among those sidelined.
However, the news is less encouraging for Sasaki. the 23-year-old right-hander has paused his throwing program and faces a notable layoff. sasaki, who last pitched May 9, is not considered part of the Dodgers’ long-term pitching plans for this season.
“I think that’s what the mindset should be,” Roberts said. “Being thrust into this surroundings certainly was a big undertaking for him, and now you layer in the health part and the fact he’s a starting pitcher, knowing what the build-up [required to return] entails … I think that’s the prudent way to go about it.”
Sasaki posted a 1-1 record with a 4.72 ERA in eight starts after joining the Dodgers from the Chuba Lotte Marines of the Pacific League. He averaged fewer than 4 1/3 innings per start, walking 22 and striking out 24 in 34 1/3 innings. His fastball velocity averaged 95.7 mph,a decrease of 3-4 mph from his average in Japan.
Roberts noted that Sasaki was pain-free when he resumed throwing in early June but experienced discomfort this past week, leading to the shutdown. Sasaki recently received a cortisone injection in his shoulder, and no further scans are planned.
“I don’t think it’s pain,” Roberts said. “I don’t know if it’s discomfort, if it’s tightness, if he’s just not feeling strong, whatever the adjective you want to use. That’s more of a question for Roki, as far as the sensation he’s feeling.
“He’s just not feeling like he can ramp it up, and we’re not going to push him to do something he doesn’t feel good about right now.”
What’s next
If Ohtani returns to the mound in July, as expected, it will be 22 months after his second UCL surgery. The Dodgers will continue to monitor Sasaki’s progress, but his return this season appears unlikely.