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Ohtani’s Mound Return Nears Amidst Dodgers’ Pitching Crisis
Los Angeles – The Los Angeles Dodgers are eagerly awaiting the return of Shohei Ohtani to the pitching rotation. This anticipation builds as the team grapples with a series of injuries that have considerably impacted its pitching staff. His potential return can’t come soon enough.
Injuries have forced the Dodgers to rely on unconventional pitching solutions, highlighting the team’s current vulnerability and the crucial importance of Ohtani’s comeback. Ohtani recently completed his third simulated game, throwing 44 pitches, showcasing his progress toward rejoining the starting rotation.
Dodgers grapple With Pitching Attrition
Matt Sauer, a 26-year-old pitcher, recently threw a career-high 111 pitches in a game. In an unusual move, utility player Enrique Hernandez pitched the final seven outs in a game against the San Diego Padres, marking the first time in over six decades that a Dodgers position player pitched more than two innings.
This situation shows the Dodgers’ pitching depth is being tested. The team’s division led has shrunk due to these pitching challenges, intensifying the focus on Ohtani’s return.
Ohtani’s Rehab: A Cautious Approach
Andrew Friedman, Dodgers president of baseball operations, emphasizes a cautious approach to Ohtani’s return. The team prioritizes his long-term health and pitching ability over the next nine years,resisting the urge to rush him back despite the team’s immediate needs. “Viewing it on a shorter-term horizon, it’s easy to want to be aggressive and push,” Friedman stated, underscoring the focus on Ohtani’s longevity.
Despite the cautious approach, Ohtani is pushing to accelerate his return. He showcased notable form in his simulated game, hitting mid- to upper-90s with his fastball and displaying a sharp slider. Dodgers manager Dave roberts indicated that Ohtani’s return before the All-Star break is a real possibility. The Dodgers can bring him back before he is fully stretched out because Ohtani’s two-way designation affords the luxury of an extra pitcher.
Unexpected Setbacks and Adjustments
Ohtani’s rehab has faced unforeseen challenges. A torn labrum in his left shoulder sustained during the World Series required offseason surgery, altering his throwing program. unforeseen circumstances, such as an extra-inning game and bad weather, have also led to adjustments in his throwing schedule. Ohtani still needs to reach around 70 pitches before the Dodgers consider him ready to pitch in games, marking a careful and measured progression.
Balancing Offense and Pitching
The Dodgers recognize Ohtani’s significant offensive contributions. Since the 2023 season, Ohtani leads the majors in home runs and is among the top players in OPS, batting average, and stolen bases. His offensive prowess is too valuable to jeopardize with a premature pitching return. This year, he’s on pace for 54 home runs.
Notably, Ohtani’s stolen base numbers have decreased as his pitching rehab intensified. This decline highlights the physical demands of both hitting and pitching at an elite level. The Dodgers aim to manage his workload to prevent fatigue and ensure his offensive performance remains strong.
Ohtani’s Body Awareness
Ohtani possesses an exceptional understanding of his body. Brandon McDaniel, Dodgers strength and conditioning coach, notes Ohtani’s unparalleled ability to monitor his physical condition. This self-awareness allows for precise adjustments to his training and rehab program. While most athletes follow rehab scripts, Ohtani’s intuition helps guide his recovery process, fostering trust between him and the Dodgers training staff.
McDaniel said. “But it’s just been such a great balance of taking very calculated strikes of when we’re going to push and when we’re going to add velo and when we’re going to add spin, things like that. And ultimately, because he’s a two-way player, we don’t have a clock.And so when he feels like he’s ready, that’s the first part of the conversation.”
Dodgers’ Pitching Woes: A Recurring Theme
The Dodgers utilized a franchise-record 40 pitchers in the 2024 season and are facing similar challenges this year.Key starters like Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki are currently sidelined with shoulder-related issues. The Dodgers have already used 30 pitchers this season, the most in MLB. Despite these setbacks, the anticipation for Ohtani’s pitching return continues to grow.
Looking Ahead
Ohtani’s simulated games are increasing in intensity and volume. These sessions take place hours before the evening’s first pitch, followed by a maintenance program for his shoulder and elbow. He is 4-for-11 with a home run following his simulated games this season, a promising sign. Dodgers reliever Alex Vesia highlights ohtani’s love for the game, emphasizing the passion required to excel as both a hitter and pitcher.
How do you think the Dodgers should manage Ohtani’s workload upon his return?
will Ohtani’s return be enough to propel the Dodgers to the top of their division?
The Evolution of Two-Way Players in baseball
The concept of a two-way player, someone who excels at both hitting and pitching, has historical roots in baseball. Though, the modern game has seen a decline in such players due to specialization and the increasing demands at the highest level. Ohtani’s success is breathing new life into the concept showing that it is possible to excel at the highest level as a two-way player.
Prior to Ohtani, very few players in recent history have attempted to consistently perform both roles. Those who did often faced challenges balancing the physical demands and mastering both skill sets. ohtani has demonstrated that with the right training and physical gifts, a player can indeed thrive both on the mound and at the plate.
The Impact of Ohtani’s Success
Ohtani’s achievements have prompted discussions about player development and training methodologies.Teams are now re-evaluating how they identify and nurture players with the potential to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Ohtani is an inspiration to the next generation of baseball players.
Ohtani’s marketability and popularity have also had a significant impact on baseball’s global appeal. He has attracted fans from around the world, especially from Japan, where he was already a star before joining MLB. His presence has elevated the profile of the sport and opened new opportunities for international growth.
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| ERA | 2.84 |
| Strikeouts | 542 |
| Innings Pitched | 428⅓ |
| Home Runs | 121 (Since 2023) |
| OPS | 1.042 (As 2023) |
Frequently Asked Questions About Ohtani’s Return
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When is Shohei Ohtani expected to return to pitching?
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has suggested that Shohei Ohtani could potentially return to pitching before the All-Star break, though the Dodgers are taking a cautious approach to his rehab.
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Why are the dodgers being cautious with Ohtani’s pitching return?
The Dodgers are prioritizing Shohei Ohtani’s long-term health and pitching career,aiming to ensure he can pitch effectively over the next nine years. They want to avoid rushing him back too quickly and risking further injury.
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What kind of progress has ohtani made in his pitching rehab?
Shohei Ohtani has been participating in simulated games. He has reached up to 44 pitches, showcasing his fastball in the mid- to upper-90s and throwing sharp sweepers. His command has been impressive during these sessions.
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How has ohtani’s offensive performance been affected by
