"North of zero": Dodgers manager Dave Roberts breaks news about Shohei Ohtani's return
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The Los Angeles Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, has given fans a reason to believe after mentioning there's a "
north of zero
" percentage chance Shohei Ohtani could get back into the rotation before the All-Star break.
It's not a firm promise, but it suggests that the two-way superstar is ahead of schedule after Tommy John surgery, and that his return to the mound, which seemed like a mid-season venture a few weeks ago, could be in the cards.
Shohei Ohtani continues to ramp up in simulated games
This was Ohtani's third simulated outing—he threw 44 pitches over three innings, striking out six batters—since pitching on the mound in September. He displayed enhanced velocity, topping out with his fastball in the mid-90s.
The Dodgers have largely played it safe with his rehab, focusing mainly on slowly building up his pitch count and arm strength.
Originally, Roberts' comment about being "
north of zero
" was merely indicative of the team's growing optimism about Shohei Ohtani's progress.
'We're not gonna put a date on it, but he's getting closer every time he gets on the mound,'
Roberts said.
'Then, when he's in the 60-70 pitch range, game action could become a reality,'
added Mark Prior, pitching coach, on Ohtani hitting the 40-pitch milestone.
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Still, the Dodgers are remaining careful not to rush their star back too quickly. They recognize that Shohei Ohtani is not just a short-term solution to rotation troubles, but a long-term investment and cornerstone of the franchise.
Los Angeles Dodgers' rotation needs could influence timeline
Walker Buehler, Dustin May, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto had all been placed on the injured list, leaving the Dodgers in the middle of a barrage of injuries taking down their starting rotation.
The rotation has grown thin, the bullpen overused, and Shohei Ohtani's possible return to the mound arrives just in time.
Ohtani has remained a dominant figure, batting over .290 with 20 home runs — his contribution as a pitcher alone could sure up the staff significantly heading into the second half. So far this year, the Dodgers are among the bottom in MLB for total innings thrown by starters and could use reinforcements.
Also Read:
Shohei Ohtani bridges generations by paying emotional tribute to a baseball legend
It doesn't mean Roberts just gave us a guarantee that Shohei Ohtani will be back before the All-Star break, but it's something that both the team and fandom can hang their hats on. Shohei Ohtani still must ramp up to those simulated starts, and if he continues to climb as far as pitch count and execution, a limited re-entry into the rotation just before the break wouldn't be out of the question.
For now, Ohtani remains a force at the plate—but his long-awaited return to the mound may be closer than anyone expected just a few weeks ago.
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