The Los Angeles Dodgers expect Shohei Ohtani to return to the pitcher’s mound at some point this season, but the target date for his return has been fluid throughout the offseason and remains so at the beginning of the regular season.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts initially suggested in January that Ohtani could begin pitching this season around the start of May. That target was perhaps too premature as the Dodgers have since slowed Ohtani’s progression on the mound.
Ohtani began throwing bullpen sessions during some workouts at Camelback Ranch in the early stages of Spring Training, but hasn’t done so since Feb. 25. Ohtani’s rehab progression as a pitcher as a result of his increased efforts to prepare for the Tokyo Series as a designated hitter.
That should change now that the Dodgers are back from playing the Tokyo Series, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
The plan for now is to have Ohtani “ramp back up” when the Dodgers return from Japan and prepare for their home opener on March 27. He will start facing hitters in simulated-game settings at some point after that.
“But we’ll just see kind of where we’re at after the next 10 days, two weeks,” Prior said.
The Dodgers previously stated their plan is to utilize a traditional five-man rotation until Ohtani returns to the mound, a luxury afforded to them due to off days in their schedule to open the season. W
Depending on how much Ohtani’s timeline is set back due to this pause, it could open the door for Dustin May to enjoy an extended time in the Dodgers’ rotation. He was named their fifth starter in some part due to Bobby Miller being hit in the head by a comebacker and Tony Gonsolin suffering a back injury while lifting weights.
Shohei Ohtani content with plan
While some external concern was raised with Ohtani halting his pitching program, the superstar assured all is well and he intended to ease up with that work as the Tokyo Series drew near.
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