Dodgers' Dave Roberts doesn't rule out Shohei Ohtani returning to mound before All-Star break after latest simulated pitching session

Shohei Ohtani was back on the mound Tuesday as he ramps up his return to pitching in an MLB game.

By most accounts, he looked pretty good. That includes the opinion of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who didn’t rule out Ohtani returning to the mound before the All-Star break.

Ohtani pitched three simulated innings against live minor-league batters on Tuesday at Petco Park prior to the NL West tilt between his Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. He threw 44 pitches.

Per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya, Ohtani allowed one hit and one walk and threw a wild pitch. He recorded six of his nine outs via strikeout.

Here’s video of a swinging strike to record the final out of his session:

It was another encouraging sign for the Dodgers and their fans eager to see the two-way superstar pitch in Dodger blue for the first time.

Tuesday’s simulated innings were Ohtani’s first on the mound since a May 31 session that went two innings. It was his third time overall throwing a live batting practice session and the first time he has exceeded two innings.

Ohtani’s pitching work was previously limited to bullpen sessions that didn’t involve batters.

So when will Ohtani actually pitch?

Roberts spoke with reporters after Ohtani’s session and offered a positive assessment of his performance.

“I thought he was good,” Roberts said. “I thought he was really good. I thought the fastball had life. I thought the sweeper was really good. … A really good day, three innings.”

Roberts faced questions about a timeline for when Ohtani might return to the mound for an MLB game. He expressed optimism while noting that the decision will ultimately lie with Ohtani, Dodgers athletic trainers and Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who performed Ohtani’s surgery.

“I think that it certainly doesn’t have to be a full build-up,” Roberts continued. “Because anything that he can give us is certainly going to be additive. But I still stand by him and Dr. ElAttrache and the training staff. They’re gonna drive this.”

Could Ohtani return early for short work?

ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez noted that Ohtani’s official designation as a “two-way player” could motivate the Dodgers to bring him back before he’s ready to work a full allotment of starter’s innings. Because he’s a two-way player, Ohtani would be allowed to pitch without counting toward his team’s 13-pitcher roster limit.

If Ohtani were ready to pitch, say, three innings, instead of six or seven, the Dodgers could bring him back for shorter outings to help the team without him counting against the roster limit. Hence Roberts’ note that “anything that he can give us is certainly going to be additive.”

Dodgers' Dave Roberts doesn't rule out Shohei Ohtani returning to mound before All-Star break after latest simulated pitching session — Shohei Ohtani continues to progress on the mound, but a return timeline to pitching in an actual game remains unclear. (AP Photo/Joe Puetz)

(ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Roberts reiterated that the Dodgers would not rush Ohtani back.

“I’m sure Shohei is tempted to kind of just rip the band-aid off and get into a big-league game,” Roberts continued. “I think we’re doing a good job of trying to be patient. And, truth be told, I don’t know anyone knows the right time to get him in a big-league game. We’re still being very careful, I guess.”

When pressed about the chance that Ohtani makes his pitching debut before the All-Star break, Roberts said that it’s “definitely not non-zero. It’s north of zero.”

Take that as you will.

Ohtani’s long layoff from the mound

Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a game since Aug. 23, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. A month later, he underwent surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow for the second time. He previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018.

Ohtani signed with the Dodgers the following offseason and earned his third MVP after a historic 50-50 season at the plate. The Dodgers went on to a World Series championship, Ohtani’s first.

Ohtani’s off to another sensational start at the plate that includes an NL-best 23 home runs through Monday. But his return to the mound is still unclear as his absence approaches the two-year mark.

A 40-27 Dodgers team leading a tight race in the NL West could certainly use the pitching services of Ohtani, who’s at an All-Star level at his best. Still, don’t expect them to throw caution to the wind.

They won’t put Ohtani on the mound until the team and their medical staff are fully convinced that he’s ready. In the meantime, the Dodgers and their fans can take solace in Ohtani’s quest for a fourth MVP at the plate.