Shohei Ohtani suffers bump in road as Dodgers superstar aims for return to pitching

Shohei Ohtani was hoping to get in some pitching practice, but the Los Angeles Dodgers' delayed clash against the New York Mets on Friday altered the two-way star's plans

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Shohei Ohtani’s anticipated return to the mound was delayed after the Los Angeles Dodgers needed 13 innings to defeat the New York Mets.

After undergoing surgery to repair the UCL in his right elbow following the 2023 MLB season with the Los Angeles Angels, Ohtani has not yet pitched for the Dodgers. He signed his blockbuster contract with the Dodgers in free agency shortly after the surgery.

He is expected to return to pitching in 2025, and the two-way phenom planned initially to throw live batting practice Saturday afternoon at Citi Field before Friday night’s meeting with the Mets. However, a rain-delayed game — as well as the Dodgers needing 13 innings to win 7-5 in a rematch of last season’s NLCS — meant Ohtani decided to push the session back to Sunday.

Ohtani hasn’t pitched since Aug. 23, 2023, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters he’s closing in.

“It's a progression. Progress for Shohei,” Roberts said. “He doesn't tip his hand very often, as far as emotions. But I don't see how he couldn't feel that it's starting to become more realistic.”

One of the most popular figures in the sport, Ohtani could make his pitching debut for the Dodgers in July, but Roberts does not want to place a timetable on the occasion. He added: “A lot of it is going to be contingent on how he's feeling and then what the next step is.

“So, I don't think anyone knows how the next couple months are going to go."

During a throwing session on Tuesday, Ohtani mixed in breaking pitches for the first time after previously just being limited to fastballs and splitters. He threw a 50-pitch bullpen last Saturday, increasing from 35 pitches the previous session.

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However, Ohtani then went 0-for-6 with two strikeouts in the 11-9 loss to the Angels. Roberts acknowledged that the increased intensity of his rehab could affect his production for the Dodgers, who currently have no plans for Ohtani to make minor league rehab starts at the expense of his MLB play.

“Shohei is very in tune with his body,” Roberts revealed. “But there is even a possibility if we feel as we build up that he's taxed on a particular Saturday, that he doesn't play that game.

“I just don't know how that looks. I really don't. But I think that we should obviously be open to it.”

Heading into the series opener against the Mets on Friday, Ohtani had a share of the MLB lead with 17 home runs. The three-time MVP was batting .304 with 31 RBIs and a 1.053 OPS. He was leading the big leagues in runs with 52.

Ohtani’s 32-19 Dodgers take on the 30-21 Mets in their next game on Saturday night.