Cody Snavely
While the Los Angeles Dodgers had a day off for Memorial Day due to rain in the New York area, Shohei Ohtani was still spotted doing his pre-game throwing program as he continued to rehab from his second career, Tommy John Surgery.
Ohtani, 29, signed with the Dodgers on a massive 10-year $700 million contract largely due to his status as Major League Baseball’s lone two-way player. However, an arm injury suffered in late 2023 that required Tommy John surgery would throw a wrench in the 2024 season, no matter what team he went to.
Undeterred by the risk, the Dodgers, with unwavering faith in Ohtani’s talent, were comfortable signing the two-way, two-time AL MVP to the largest contract in North American sports history.
Ohtani began his throwing program in March and has been aggressive in his hope of returning to a big league mound soon.
However, despite Ohtani now throwing from 60ft at 80 mph, do not expect him to take the mound for the Dodgers in 2024 at any point this season, even if they make a deep postseason run. However, there were early rumblings in the Dodgers clubhouse as Ohtani had an outfielder’s and first base mitt delivered to him.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, with a clear vision, stated that any position change depends on Ohtani’s progression. However, their unwavering focus remains for Ohtani to be the full-time designated hitter for 2024, a strategy they have not deviated from.
We’ll see how that progression goes; I do know he’s not gonna pitch this year. But right now, our only focus is him being a designated hitter.
via Dave Roberts on March 18th 2024
Ohtani has been throwing around 60-70 times each session and increasing the distance and has come out healthy each time. While the goal is not to make an appearance this season on the mound, it should excite fans that the two-way phenom will be ready to go in 2025 for the Dodgers.
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