The baseball world already saw what Shohei Ohtani could do as a hitter last season.
Now, as spring training kicks off, the reigning National League MVP is making headlines for what’s next-his long-awaited return to the mound.
Ohtani eyes May return to pitching
Ohtani’s first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers was nothing short of historic.
After signing a record-breaking $700 million contract, the superstar slugger delivered an MVP campaign, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases in a single season.
His .310 batting average, league-leading .390 on-base percentage, and .646 slugging percentage further cemented his dominance at the plate.
And if that wasn’t enough, Ohtani helped lead the Dodgers to a World Series championship, where they overpowered the New York Yankees in a five-game series.
Yet, for all his offensive brilliance, there was always the lingering question of what the Dodgers could achieve when Ohtani was fully healthy-when he could once again take the mound.
That moment appears to be drawing closer.
MLB’s official social media account reignited excitement on Wednesday with a simple message: “We are so ready for Shohei Ohtani to be back on the mound.”
Dodgers fans would likely agree. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023, Ohtani was sidelined as a pitcher for the entire 2024 season.
Then, during the World Series, he suffered a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, requiring another procedure that further complicated his return to two-way play.
Despite the setbacks, Ohtani has been making noticeable strides at spring training.
Video footage from the Dodgers’ facility shows him throwing comfortably and taking aggressive swings off a tee with no visible discomfort.
While manager Dave Roberts has remained cautious about setting a definitive timeline, he recently suggested that a May return to pitching is the target, depending on how Ohtani progresses in camp.
When Ohtani does return to the mound, he will be joining a reloaded Dodgers rotation that already boasts elite talent.
Los Angeles signed young Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki in the offseason, while fellow countryman Yoshinobu Yamamoto looks to build on his solid rookie campaign.
The team also added two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell and secured Tyler Glasnow for the long haul.
With Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin returning from injuries, the Dodgers’ pitching staff is shaping up to be one of the most formidable in baseball.
Ohtani’s career numbers as a pitcher only add to the anticipation.
Across 86 MLB starts, he holds a 38-19 record with a 3.01 ERA and a 1.082 WHIP. If he can return to that form, Los Angeles could be even more dangerous as they chase back-to-back titles, something no team has accomplished in a quarter-century.
With spring training underway and Ohtani already turning heads, baseball fans won’t have to wait much longer to see the sport’s biggest two-way star back in full force.
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