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Ohtani’s Rehab Takes a turn: Breaking Pitches Signal Progress, But What’s Next?

Is shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound closer than we think? The latest news suggests a critically important step forward in his rehabilitation program: the introduction of breaking pitches. This growth has fans buzzing, but what does it really mean for his future performance and the Dodgers‘ championship aspirations?

Breaking News: Ohtani Adds Curveballs to Rehab

Ohtani, recovering from an elbow injury, has been diligently working his way back to pitching form.The inclusion of breaking pitches, like curveballs and sliders, marks a crucial phase. Before this, his throwing sessions primarily focused on fastballs and changeups, which put less stress on the elbow.

Did you know? The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary ligament affected by Tommy John surgery, which Ohtani has undergone in the past. Breaking pitches put more torque on the UCL than fastballs.

The Significance of Breaking Pitches in Rehab

Why is this such a big deal? Breaking pitches are notoriously demanding on the elbow. Their inclusion indicates that Ohtani’s medical team believes his elbow is healing well and can withstand the increased stress.However,it also introduces a new level of risk.

Assessing the Risk: A Delicate Balance

The key now is monitoring Ohtani’s response. How does his elbow feel after throwing these pitches? Are there any signs of discomfort or swelling? The Dodgers’ medical staff will be meticulously tracking his progress, adjusting his workload as needed. Overdoing it at this stage could set him back significantly.

What This Means for Ohtani’s Future Performance

Even if Ohtani’s rehab continues smoothly, there are questions about how his pitching arsenal will evolve. Will he rely less on breaking pitches to protect his elbow? Will he develop new grips or techniques to reduce stress? These are critical factors that could shape his effectiveness on the mound.

Expert Tip: Focus on command and control. Even if Ohtani’s velocity is slightly reduced, pinpoint accuracy and smart pitch selection can still make him a dominant pitcher.

The Impact on Pitch Velocity and Movement

One potential outcome of the injury and rehab is a decrease in pitch velocity or movement. while Ohtani’s raw power is undeniable, his ability to locate pitches and generate movement is equally important. If his breaking pitches lose some of their bite, he’ll need to compensate with improved strategy and deception.

The Dodgers’ Championship Hopes Ride on Ohtani

The Los Angeles Dodgers invested heavily in Ohtani, not just for his bat but also for his arm. His ability to contribute as a pitcher is crucial to their championship aspirations. A healthy and effective Ohtani significantly boosts their chances of contending for a World Series title.

The Pressure is On: Expectations and Reality

the pressure on Ohtani is immense. Fans expect him to return to his pre-injury form, dominating both at the plate and on the mound. However, it’s important to remember that he’s recovering from a serious injury. Patience and realistic expectations are essential.

Pros and Cons of Ohtani’s Early Inclusion of Breaking Pitches

Let’s break down the potential benefits and drawbacks of introducing breaking pitches at this stage of Ohtani’s rehab:

Pros:

• Accelerated Progress: Indicates the elbow is responding well to treatment.
• Comprehensive Assessment: Allows the medical team to evaluate the elbow’s ability to handle high-stress pitches.
• Mental Confidence: Helps Ohtani regain confidence in his ability to throw all types of pitches.

Cons:

• Increased Risk of Re-injury: Breaking pitches put more stress on the elbow, perhaps leading to setbacks.
• Potential for discomfort: Even minor discomfort could disrupt the rehab process.
• Impact on Mechanics: Overcompensation could lead to changes in his pitching mechanics, affecting his overall performance.

The Dodgers are walking a tightrope, balancing the desire to get Ohtani back on the mound quickly with the need to protect his long-term health.The next few weeks will be critical in determining his trajectory.

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Time.news Exclusive: Is Shohei Ohtani‘s Rehab on the Right Track? We Asked an expert

Keywords: Shohei Ohtani, Tommy john surgery, Dodgers, MLB, baseball injuries, pitching rehab, breaking pitches, ulnar collateral ligament, UCL, pitch velocity, baseball analysis

Shohei ohtani’s journey back to the mound is capturing the attention of baseball fans worldwide. Recent reports indicate he’s begun incorporating breaking pitches into his rehabilitation programme, a critically important milestone post-Tommy John surgery. But what does this really mean for his recovery, future performance, and the Dodgers’ World Series hopes?

To get a deeper understanding, Time.news spoke with Dr. Evelyn Sterling, a renowned sports medicine physician specializing in baseball injuries and rehabilitation.

Time.news: Dr. Sterling, thank you for joining us. Ohtani adding breaking pitches to his rehab is big news. What’s the significance of this step?

Dr. Sterling: It’s a pivotal moment, absolutely. Following Tommy John surgery, the ulnar collateral ligament, or UCL, needs time to heal and regain strength. Introducing breaking pitches – curveballs, sliders – indicates that the medical team believes Ohtani’s elbow is progressing well. These pitches place substantially more torque on the UCL than fastballs, so it’s a test of its resilience.

Time.news: The article mentions this introduces a new level of risk. Could you elaborate on the potential dangers?

Dr.Sterling: the primary concern is re-injury. Pushing too hard, too soon, could strain the healing UCL, leading to setbacks and potentially requiring further intervention. Even if there isn’t a catastrophic event, minor discomfort or swelling needs to be carefully monitored. Overcompensation to avoid pain can also alter his pitching mechanics, potentially leading to other issues down the line. It’s truly a delicate balance. Proper protocols are crucial when recovering from a UCL reconstruction.

Time.news: What are the key factors the Dodgers’ medical staff will be monitoring as Ohtani throws these breaking pitches?

Dr. Sterling: They’ll be meticulously tracking his subjective feedback – how his elbow feels after each session. They will also be looking for objective signs like swelling, range of motion limitations, and any changes in his throwing mechanics. They can also monitor total pitch counts and the ratio of breaking balls to fastballs and changeups so as not to overstress the recovering ligament. This data will inform decisions about adjusting his workload and progression. It’s a data-driven approach to ensure he’s progressing safely.

Time.news: Looking ahead, how might this injury and rehab affect Ohtani’s future performance on the mound? Could we see changes in his pitching style?

dr. Sterling: It’s possible. He might rely less on breaking pitches, or perhaps develop new grips or techniques to reduce elbow stress.we might see a slight decrease in velocity. However, as the Expert Tip highlighted, command and control become even more critical. pinpoint accuracy, smart pitch selection, and deception can compensate for any loss of raw power. He clearly has top level baseball IQ,so I believe he will continue to play at a high level.

Time.news: the Dodgers have significant championship aspirations.How crucial is ohtani’s pitching prowess to their success?

Dr. Sterling: It’s undeniable. The Dodgers invested heavily because they believe in his two-way talent. He has the ability to dominate the game both at the plate and on the mound. A healthy and effective Ohtani significantly elevates their chances of contending for a World Series title.

Time.news: Given the pressure on Ohtani to return to his pre-injury form, what advice would you offer to fans and the media?

Dr.Sterling: Patience is key. Remember he’s recovering from a serious injury. Realistic expectations are crucial. While he’s an extraordinary athlete, expecting him to instantly replicate his previous performance is unfair. It’s also important to appreciate that he has the ability to contribute at the plate, irrespective of a return to pitching. Enjoy the journey and celebrate the milestones, and focus on the fact that the rehab process is a marathon, not a sprint.