Dodgers fans were left delighted on Tuesday as manager Dave Roberts offered a huge update on Shohei Ohtani’s pitching status.
The two-way star still has not pitched for the Dodgers following his Tommy John surgery in September 2023. His recovery was later complicated when he tore his labrum in his left (non-throwing) shoulder during last year’s World Series.
However, Roberts told reporters on Tuesday that Ohtani has a ‘north of zero’ chance of joining the team’s rotation ahead of the All-Star Break, which will begin for the Dodgers after their July 13 game against the Giants.
And fans were thrilled with that news, which came as Ohtani took a major stride in his comeback and threw 44 pitches in three simulated innings before facing the Padres, according to ESPN.
‘we’ve waited all year … best athlete in the world gonna be going his thang again soon,’ one wrote on X.
‘Let’s goooo,’ another said.
Shohei Ohtani has a ‘north of zero’ chance of returning to the Dodgers’ rotation before July 13, manager Dave Roberts said
Roberts said it was ‘tempting’ to bring Ohtani back sooner due to the team’s pitching injuries
And a third added: ‘ITS TIME!!!!’ in response to the update on Ohtani’s health.
Others cautioned the Dodgers not to rush Ohtani – who first faced hitters (in a simulated setting) on May 25 at Citi Field – back to the Dodgers’ rotation.
However, as ESPN pointed out in their report, the Dodgers currently have a whopping 14 pitchers on their injured list.
‘It’s tempting,’ Roberts said of Ohtani returning sooner. ‘I’m sure Shohei is tempted to just rip the Band-Aid off for a big league game. But I think we’ve done a good job of just being patient. And truth be told, I don’t know if anyone knows the right time to get him in a big league game. But we’re still being very careful.’
Ohtani’s ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) was repaired for a second time two years ago.
The procedure was performed by renowned sports surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who Roberts said will determine the timeline of Ohtani’s comeback in conjunction with the team’s training staff.
Ohtani has been throwing bullpen sessions as he gets closer to pitching for the Dodgers
Ohtani is seen with his wife, Mamiko Tanaka. He surprised fans last year when he revealed he had gotten married.
The Japanese player received surgery for his torn labrum on November 4 after injuring it in the Dodgers’ World Series win over the Yankees.
He first began throwing bullpen sessions at spring training in February before taking a break from pitching until late March.
Regardless of when his return to the mound comes, he’s proven to be well worth the $700million that the Dodgers signed him for in late 2023.
Across 224 games for the team in the regular season, he’s blasted an incredible 77 home runs and 169 RBIs, including 23 home runs so far this season.
