Shohei Ohtani: Pitching Return Update – Dodgers
- San Diego—Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers' star, took a notable step toward returning to the mound Tuesday, throwing 44 pitches in three simulated innings at Petco Park.
- Ohtani's potential return as a pitcher in July, rather than August, hinges on his progress and a unique roster advantage.
- the Dodgers' current pitching situation, with 14 pitchers on the injured list, including key starters like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, adds another layer of complexity.
Shohei Ohtani is making strides toward his pitching return, throwing 44 pitches in a simulated game, sparking excitement among Dodgers fans. The primary_keyword, poised to rejoin the rotation possibly before the All-Star break, offers the Dodgers a strategic advantage, thanks to his “two-way player” status. This MLB designation provides roster versatility, allowing the team to carefully manage his comeback, possibly with shorter outings initially. The club’s cautious approach, crucial after injuries, along with his recent simulated game showcasing a strong fastball and sweeper, suggests a July return is increasingly possible. News Directory 3 will continue to follow Ohtani’s progress. Discover what’s next in this exciting comeback story.
Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return: Dodgers Eye July Comeback
Updated June 10, 2025
San Diego—Shohei Ohtani, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ star, took a notable step toward returning to the mound Tuesday, throwing 44 pitches in three simulated innings at Petco Park. Manager Dave Roberts indicated a “north of zero” chance that Ohtani, a primary_keyword, could rejoin the Dodgers’ rotation before the All-Star break, fueling excitement among fans and the institution.
Ohtani’s potential return as a pitcher in July, rather than August, hinges on his progress and a unique roster advantage. MLB’s “two-way player” designation, established in 2019, allows Ohtani to pitch without counting against the team’s 13-pitcher limit. This provides the Dodgers with the flexibility to ease Ohtani back into games, perhaps with shorter outings of two to three innings initially, utilizing another pitcher as a “piggyback” starter. This strategic approach could accelerate his return to the major league mound.
the Dodgers’ current pitching situation, with 14 pitchers on the injured list, including key starters like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow, adds another layer of complexity. While Snell and Glasnow have resumed bullpen sessions, they still require time to rebuild their stamina. The team is being cautious with Ohtani’s secondary_keyword_1 recovery.
“It certainly doesn’t have to be a full buildup,” Roberts said, “as anything that he can give us is certainly additive.”
Roberts emphasized that Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Ohtani’s UCL surgery in September 2023, and the Dodgers’ training staff will continue to guide his rehabilitation. The team remains adaptable, as demonstrated by delaying Ohtani’s recent session after he fouled a ball off his foot.
“it’s tempting,” Roberts said of bringing Ohtani back sooner. “I’m sure Shohei is tempted to just rip the Band-Aid off for a big league game. But I think we’ve done a good job of just being patient. And truth be told, I don’t know if anyone knows the right time to get him in a big league game. But we’re still being very careful.”
Ohtani’s pitching progression began last year, before a torn labrum in his left shoulder during the World Series necessitated offseason surgery. His throwing program was further adjusted around the season opener in Japan. In his recent simulated game, Ohtani, 30, faced minor leaguers, showcasing his fastball and sweeper. He also practiced game situations, incorporating a slide step and using the pitch clock. Roberts noted that Ohtani’s fastball “had life” and his sweeper was “really good,” signaling positive signs for his secondary_keyword_2 return.
What’s next
Ohtani will continue participating in simulated games roughly every week, interspersed with light bullpen sessions. The Dodgers will evaluate his progress to determine when he is ready to rejoin the starting rotation, a decision eagerly anticipated by the team and its fans.