Shohei Ohtani continues to prove why he is a unique superstar in Major League Baseball, with outstanding performances even more so considering that he is in the process of recovering as a pitcher after major elbow surgery in September 2023
The Japanese star returned to the mound with the Los Angeles Dodgers, this time against the Houston Astros, and completed two outstanding innings with his highest pitch count so far this season.
On Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, Ohtani threw 31 pitches, 21 of them in the strike zone, with no walks and three strikeouts. He allowed a single to the first batter of the game, but then forced a double play and faced the minimum of six batters in his two innings.
Shohei Ohtani’s impressive recovery
Unlike other pitchers who go through traditional minor league rehabilitation, Ohtani, in conjunction with the Dodgers, has opted to recover by pitching directly in Major League games, while continuing to be a key offensive piece in the lineup.
This strategy has shown excellent results, as his performance on the mound reflects significant progress. This was his fourth start in the comeback process as a pitcher, and so far he has worked six innings with an outstanding 1.50 ERA, a 0.83 WHIP, and a total of six strikeouts and only one walk.
Ohtani’s pitching repertoire also caught the eye: his fastball stayed between 98 and 100 mph, and his sweeper, a curveball with a strong break, was especially effective.
When will Shohei Ohtani pitch again?
While it is still unclear when Ohtani will return to regular pitching as a full-time starter, his recovery is certainly progressing steadily. His last full season as a pitcher was in 2023, when he was still wearing the Angels uniform, and he finished with a 10-5 record and a 3.14 ERA in 132 innings pitched.
Meanwhile, as a hitter, Ohtani has maintained MVP-caliber performance, becoming one of the most important pieces for the Dodgers this season. His ability to impact the game both from the mound and with the bat continues to cement his status as a phenomenon unparalleled in modern baseball.
Read the full article here
