Ohtani: Pitching Return Delayed Until After All-Star Game

Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Future: A 2025 Mid-Season Return?

Will we see Shohei Ohtani back on the mound before the 2025 All-Star break? Dodgers manager Dave roberts suggests it’s unlikely,setting the stage for a possibly long wait for fans eager to see the two-way superstar in action again.

The Road to Recovery: A Calculated Approach

Ohtani’s recovery from elbow surgery in September 2023 is progressing, but the Dodgers are taking a cautious approach. Live batting practice sessions are a crucial step, but they’re just one piece of the puzzle.

Facing Hitters: A Key Milestone

This Sunday marks a significant milestone: Ohtani will face hitters like Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing in a simulated game. This will be a two-inning session, a far cry from the five or six innings a starting pitcher needs to prepare for.

Roberts emphasized the natural progression required for Ohtani’s return. “He is doing his first simulated game, from two innings, and in theory you have to prepare a starter for five or six tickets,” Roberts explained. “So by pure natural progression,I don’t see that it happens before the stars game.”

Minor League Rehab: A Limited Possibility

Could ohtani make a rehab appearance in the minor leagues? While not entirely ruled out, it seems improbable given his immense value as a hitter. The Dodgers need his bat in the lineup every day.

The June 12th Window: A Potential Opportunity

The Dodgers have only one free day next month: Thursday, June 12th. This could be a potential window for a minor league appearance, but even then, Roberts downplays the likelihood of multiple starts.

“They will not be five openings in minor leagues, I know that,” Roberts said. “This is a unique situation,there is no defined plan. We will make this session live and then we will see what follows. If you stay hear, it will be with simulated games.”

Rapid Fact: Shohei Ohtani signed a record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers in December 2023.

Prioritizing Health: A Step-by-Step Process

The Dodgers’ primary focus is ensuring Ohtani progresses without any setbacks. He’s been throwing bullpens since March, but he hasn’t yet unleashed his full arsenal of pitches against live batters.

The Slider Test: A Crucial Hurdle

Ohtani still needs to develop command with his most demanding pitches, including sliders and high-velocity fastballs. These simulated game sessions will be critical in assessing his progress.

“Until now he has marked all the boxes,” Roberts said. “but launch with a command in front of batters, launch sliders … Those are things that you still need to develop in these sessions.”

Expert Tip: Elbow injuries are common among pitchers.Recovery requires patience and a carefully managed throwing program.

The Impact on the dodgers: Balancing Offense and Pitching

Ohtani’s absence from the mound undoubtedly impacts the Dodgers’ pitching rotation. Though, his presence in the lineup as a designated hitter provides a significant offensive boost.

A Unique Situation: Managing Expectations

The Dodgers are navigating a unique situation with Ohtani. there’s no defined plan,and the team is taking a flexible approach based on his progress and comfort level.

Did You Know? Tommy john surgery, the procedure Ohtani underwent, has a high success rate, but the recovery process can take 12-18 months.

Looking ahead: What to Expect

While a pre-All-star break return seems unlikely, Ohtani’s progress is encouraging. The Dodgers will continue to monitor his progress closely and make decisions based on his health and performance.

The Waiting Game: Patience is Key

Dodgers fans will need to exercise patience as ohtani continues his recovery.The team’s long-term success hinges on his health and ability to contribute both at the plate and on the mound.

What do you think? Will Ohtani return to pitching before the end of the 2025 season? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Return: Expert Analysis on the dodgers’ Star’s Recovery [2025 Update]

Keywords: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, pitching return, Tommy John surgery, MLB, Dave Roberts, injury recovery, baseball, two-way player, simulated game, rehab assignment, injury, health.

Introduction:

shohei ohtani’s recovery from elbow surgery is one of the most closely watched stories in baseball. With Dodgers manager Dave Roberts suggesting a pre-All-Star break return to pitching in 2025 is unlikely,we spoke with Dr. Evelyn Reed, a renowned sports medicine specialist, to gain deeper insights into Ohtani’s recovery, the Dodgers’ strategy, and what fans can realistically expect.

Q&A with Dr. Evelyn Reed:

Time.News: dr. Reed, thank you for joining us. Based on what we’re hearing from the Dodgers, specifically Dave Roberts, a return to pitching before the 2025 All-Star game seems improbable.Does this align with your understanding of Tommy John surgery recovery timelines?

Dr. Evelyn reed: Absolutely. While individual recovery paces vary, 12-18 months is the general timeline for a return to pitching post-Tommy John surgery. Given ohtani had the surgery in September 2023, a mid-season 2025 return was always optimistic. Roberts is managing expectations effectively. The Dodgers are wise to prioritize long-term health and protect their massive investment.

Time.News: The article mentions Ohtani will be facing hitters in a simulated game. Can you explain the importance of this milestone in the recovery process?

Dr. Evelyn reed: Simulated games are crucial. Thay allow the medical staff and coaching staff to assess several factors. Firstly, they’re monitoring Ohtani’s pain levels and overall comfort after throwing to live batters. Secondly, they’re evaluating his mechanics and command.Can he repeat his motion consistently? Is he favoring any part of his arm? Thirdly, they’re looking at the velocity and movement of his pitches. This simulation allows for that real-game stress in a controlled environment.

Time.news: Dave Roberts mentions the need for Ohtani to develop command, especially with his slider and high-velocity fastball. Why are these pitches particularly crucial to assess?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: The slider, in particular, puts significant stress on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), the ligament repaired in Tommy John surgery. Developing command with the slider means he can control the pitch’s movement and avoid unnecessary strain. High-velocity fastballs, similarly, require maximum effort.Assessing these pitches is crucial to ensure Ohtani can pitch effectively without risking re-injury. It’s about efficiency and controlled power, not just raw speed.

time.News: The possibility of a minor league rehab assignment is discussed, but deemed unlikely. What are the pros and cons of Ohtani skipping a minor league stint?

Dr. Evelyn Reed: A minor league rehab assignment gives pitchers game experience without the pressure of MLB. It allows for more gradual pitch count increases and provides an possibility to fine-tune mechanics against live competition. However, you also have to weigh the risk-reward. Ohtani’s value to the Dodgers, even just as a designated hitter, is immense.The Dodgers need his bat in the lineup. If simulated games provide enough assessment and Ohtani’s mechanics look solid, the Dodgers might feel agreeable bringing him straight back to the majors, especially if the alternative is even a minimal risk of disrupting Ohtani’s offensive production. You have to understand this is completely a Dodgers call because its completely risk-assessment based.

Time.News: The Dodgers only have one free day in June, the 12th, which could possibly be used for a minor league appearance. Realistically, what are the chances we see Ohtani pitching in a game, any game, before July 2025?

Dr. Evelyn reed: The Dodgers are proceeding cautiously, and rightly so. Based on the details available and Roberts’ comments, I would say the chances of ohtani pitching in any game before July 2025 are slim. The organization also wants him healthy and performing for many years to come, not only for a single season. The team wants him healthy,both as a threat on offense and as a threat on the mound.

Time.News: What advice would you give to young athletes recovering from similar injuries, emphasizing the importance of patience and adherence to recovery protocols?

Dr.Evelyn Reed: Patience is absolutely key. Tommy John surgery is a long process, both physically and mentally. Do not rush back. Listen to your body and your medical team. Adhere strictly to the rehabilitation program,even when you feel good.Pushing too hard too soon can set you back substantially. Focus on proper mechanics,strength and conditioning,and gradual progression. Remember, recovery is a marathon, not a sprint.

Time.News: Dr. reed, thank you for your expert insights. This has been incredibly informative for our readers.

Dr. Evelyn Reed: My pleasure. I’m glad I could help shed some light on Shohei Ohtani’s recovery journey.

[End of Interview]