Shohei Ohtani Begins Throwing Offspeed Pitches As Return Inches Closer
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The Los Angeles Dodgers made history when they signed Shohei Ohtani to a 10-year, $700 million contract, yet the two-way superstar has yet to toe the rubber for the Dodgers. This will all change later this season, as according to MLB.com, Ohtani has begun to throw sliders and curveballs in his bullpen sessions during his pitching progression.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 17: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts before the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on May 17, 2025 in Los Angeles, California.
Photo byOhtani began to throw breaking pitches in his bullpen session for the first time since he began his return from the Tommy John surgery he underwent in 2023. Ohtani has been throwing two bullpens a week, one lighter during the week before a heavier, more intense session on Saturdays, according to MLB.com's Sonja Chen.
The Dodgers have expressed that the superstar needs to be throwing his entire pitch mix before he begins to face live hitters. There was no timeline as of Thursday for the star's return to action, but many expect it to come after the All-Star break.
Ohtani faced a setback in his return to pitching when he suffered an injury to his left shoulder late last season and the Dodgers are being careful about ramping up Ohtani too fast to reduce the risk of another set back.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked about how Ohtani is progressing.
"He was spinning it a little bit more in the touch-and-feel," Roberts said, according to Chen. "I'm not sure what's to come. Hopefully, he comes out of it well, which is what I would expect."
Ohtani returning would help the Dodgers injury riddled pitching staff get back on track in the heart of the Major League Baseball season.
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