Los Angeles Dodgers fans waiting to see Shohei Ohtani return to the mound probably should not hold their breath.
Ohtani has yet to pitch since hurting his elbow during a start in August 2023. He underwent surgery a month later to repair a UCL tear in his throwing arm.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts spoke to reporters Saturday prior to the team’s matchup against the Detroit Tigers at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Calif. Roberts shared that Ohtani was slated to throw “25 to 30” pitches in a bullpen session that day. But when asked when
“It’s gonna be a while,” Roberts told reporters. “I think you that start with the natural progression of a bullpen. You’ve gotta kinda then mix in different pitches, to then face hitters again. So, it’s a start-up again. I don’t have a timeline, I don’t think anyone does. We’re a ways away.”
While Roberts did not give a timeline, the Dodgers skipper previously hinted that a May return for Ohtani as a pitcher “sounds about right.”
The Dodgers did not need Ohtani’s pitching abilities last season en route to winning their eighth World Series title. Ohtani’s bat more than made up for his absence on the mound. The Japanese superstar batted .310 with an OPS of 1.036. He also tallied a historic 54 home runs and 59 stolen bases.
This season, Shohei has picked up right where he left off at the plate. He’s gone 6/16 with two home runs to help the Dodgers start the year 4-0.
H/T CBS Sports
