Shohei Ohtani's Journey Back to the Mound: A Cautious Comeback Story
The Los Angeles Dodgers' careful strategy with Shohei Ohtani's pitching return in the 2025 season is a fascinating tale of managing expectations and health.
Ohtani, a vital part of the Dodgers' lineup as their designated hitter, had the team's full attention when it came to his pitching comeback. The team initially took a cautious approach, but Ohtani's determination led to a shift in their strategy.
But here's where it gets controversial... The Dodgers initially mapped out a plan that involved live batting practice sessions to build Ohtani's innings base slowly. However, this approach had its drawbacks. Ohtani found that pitching in these sessions impacted his ability to perform as the DH the same night. So, the team made an adjustment.
On June 16, 2025, Ohtani took the mound for his first pitching start in a staggering 663 days. He was limited to just one inning against the San Diego Padres, but his four-seam fastball reached an impressive 100.2 mph.
This performance set Ohtani on a deliberate path, stretching his innings gradually with the goal of pitching six or even seven innings in the postseason. It was a unique and unprecedented approach to rehab, but it worked.
And this is the part most people miss... Ohtani's successful rehab at the Major League level was a game-changer. He remained healthy throughout the year, and now, he's a strong contender for the National League Cy Young Award.
Shohei Ohtani: Back to His Pitching Roots in 2026
As Ohtani enters his first full season as a starting pitcher post-Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers seem ready to let him loose. Manager Dave Roberts hinted at a more relaxed approach, stating, "I don't think I'm going to manage him any differently as far as each outing."
Ohtani has already reported to Camelback Ranch and has been throwing bullpen sessions ahead of the official team workouts. Unlike Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Ohtani will not be pitching in the World Baseball Classic, allowing him to focus on his Dodgers duties.
The Dodgers are keeping Ohtani's pitching schedule under wraps for now, but with Yamamoto potentially eased back into the rotation and Blake Snell's uncertain status for Opening Day, Ohtani is expected to be a key part of the team's first series.
However, Roberts emphasized that Ohtani will still receive ample rest between starts, with a minimum of five days off. This approach will likely extend to Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki as well.
So, what do you think? Is Ohtani's comeback story a testament to his resilience, or did the Dodgers take too cautious an approach? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
