Shohei Ohtani’s Exciting Return to the Mound: First Spring Pitching Session took place today as reported by Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. During this pivotal bullpen session, Ohtani executed 14 throws, all of which were fastballs, showcasing his ability to rebound. His pitching velocity ranged from 92 to 94 mph, which, although slightly lower than his typical mid-90s performance, is understandable given that he is still months away from taking the mound in a competitive big league game. This early sign of progress is a positive development for fans eagerly anticipating his return.

The news of Ohtani resuming throwing and demonstrating commendable performance is undoubtedly a relief for Dodgers fans, but the timeline for his complete return to active pitching remains unchanged. The current strategy involves Ohtani potentially rejoining the Dodgers’ starting rotation around May, while the team is set to implement a five-man rotation until that time. Manager Dave Roberts has mentioned that Ohtani might start facing live batters before the club departs for Tokyo, where they will kick off the regular season against the Cubs next month, adding to the excitement surrounding his recovery.

While Ohtani’s early rehabilitation results are promising, numerous questions linger regarding his transition back to pitching in a Dodgers uniform. The challenge lies in effectively balancing his rehabilitation as a pitcher with his responsibilities as the Dodgers’ full-time designated hitter. This dual role presents a unique situation for the coaching staff to navigate. The Angels previously faced a similar dilemma when Ohtani attempted to return to pitching in 2020 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, a comeback that was marred by challenges, resulting in a disappointing performance where he only recorded five outs and had his only subpar season as a big league hitter.

Interestingly, it seems the Dodgers are not inclined to assign Ohtani to a traditional rehab assignment prior to his return to pitching. Although such assignments are standard for pitchers recovering from significant surgeries, Ardaya notes that the club has successfully reintegrated Clayton Kershaw into the big leagues without a rehab stint after previous injuries. Additionally, pitching coach Mark Prior highlighted that balancing rehabilitation with hitting turned out positively for the reigning NL MVP last season. Instead of a rehab assignment, the strategy appears to involve conducting simulated games for Ohtani before the team’s scheduled games, allowing him to face live hitters from either the big league bench or minor league players, which could enhance his readiness.

As Ohtani aims to overcome the challenges stemming from offseason surgery, he and the Dodgers are focused on finding the right balance. His injury, which occurred while sliding into second base during Game Two of the World Series last year, resulted in a torn labrum requiring surgical repair after dislocating his shoulder. This situation is reminiscent of former Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, who faced difficulties returning to form after a similar injury. Ardaya reports that even as training camp commences, Ohtani has acknowledged experiencing a limited range of motion in his shoulder. Fortunately, with a month remaining before the Dodgers’ season opener in Tokyo, he has ample time to refine his swing while managing his pitching rehabilitation.

In addition to Ohtani’s updates, other players in Dodgers camp are also making progress on their rehabilitation journeys. Veteran first baseman Freddie Freeman provided an encouraging update, stating he is “almost a full player” in his recovery from offseason ankle surgery, as reported by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register. Freeman has resumed all activities except for running, and while he may not be prepared for the beginning of Spring Training games later this month, he remains optimistic about being ready for the Dodgers’ season opener in Japan.