Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani progresses to throwing breaking pitches as he advances toward pitching return

Shohei Ohtani | Biography, MLB, Facts, Statistics, & Family | Britannica

Shohei Ohtani still has a long way to go before he’s ready to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the two-way superstar took an important step in his recovery Tuesday.

Ohtani threw breaking pitches for the first time during a throwing session before Tuesday’s game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to manager Dave Roberts. More specifically, he threw sliders while working from flat ground.

Advertisement

In previous workouts, Ohtani hadn’t thrown any pitches besides fastballs and splitters, continuing to build strength without putting added stress on his surgically repaired right elbow.

“It is progressing,” Roberts told reporters, via the Los Angeles Times. “I’m not sure when he’s going to take that slider from the flat ground to the bullpen, but that is progress.”

The number of pitches Ohtani has thrown during these sessions has also increased, from roughly a dozen to 25 and now to 50. Additionally, Ohtani has been taking pauses during his workouts to simulate leaving the mound and waiting in the dugout between innings, as he would do in a game.

Although the Dodgers haven’t announced a timeline for Ohtani’s return to pitching, projections are for him to take the mound at some point around the All-Star break in July.

Advertisement

“I really wish I had an answer [on when it will be],” Roberts added. “I’m just waiting for the green light from people that are sort of managing Shohei’s rehab.”

The Dodgers could certainly benefit from Ohtani joining the starting rotation. The team’s pitching ranks 11th in the NL (and 23rd in MLB) with a 4.22 ERA. Starters Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki are all on the injured list, along with relievers Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips and Kirby Yates.

“It’s not the staff we thought we’d have this season,” Roberts said Monday.

Until then, Ohtani is providing his usual production with his bat. He’s hitting .311/.405/.668 with 17 home runs (tied for the MLB lead), 31 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 222 plate appearances.

Related Posts

Red Sox’ѕ Alex Bregmаn offerѕ optіmіѕtіc return tіmelіne аheаd of MLB All-Stаr breаk

Boston Red Sox star Alex Bregman expects to return before or right after the 2025 MLB All-Star break, giving Boston a huge second-half boost.

Red Sox’ѕ Romаn Anthony hіtѕ cаreer mіleѕtone wіth Fenwаy Pаrk homer

Boston Red Sox top prospect Roman Anthony hits first Fenway Park home run, a key MLB rookie milestone for the 21-year-old outfielder.

Red Sox аll but confіrm former All-Stаr wіll be trаded ѕooner rаther thаn lаter

Jarren Duran being held out of the Boston Red Sox lineup for a Monday showdown against the lowly Colorado Rockies in Fenway Park doesn’t mean that his bags are

REPORT: Joe Ryan All-Star Snub Stings Minnesota Twins’ De Facto Ace, But He Goes On

It’s not about one person, and Joe Ryan doesn’t want to make it so. But nonetheless, you could see it Sunday: not making the All-Star team (despite a third straight rock-solid bid) hurt.

REPORT: Byron Buxton in, but these Twins stars’ All-Star snubs are impossible to ignore

Byron Buxton makes the roster but this Twins All-Star snub is brutal Despite being snubbed when it comes to the voting for the starting outfield for the…

Breaking: Former MLB GM’s latest intel takes a wrecking ball to the Twins’ bullpen

This is a bit of a surprise. Things haven’t gone as planned for the Minnesota Twins in 2025, and now as they continue to lose ground to…