Shohei Ohtani Makes Significant Strides in Pitching Rehab After Reaching 40-40 Milestone

Dodgers General Manager, Brandon Gomes: Gomes dismissed the idea of Ohtani returning to the pitcher’s mound this season after his recovery from Tommy John surgery, stating, “Forget the notion of the Dodgers bringing him to the pitcher’s mound this season.” Despite this, Ohtani’s progress has been impressive, and he aims to start throwing again in September, with hopes of coming back even stronger next season​ ClutchPoints

Just one night after reaching the impressive 40-40 mark with a walk-off grand slam, Shohei Ohtani took a notable step forward in his rehabilitation as a pitcher. On Saturday, the versatile athlete threw off a mound at Dodger Stadium for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery in September. Before the Dodgers’ game against the Rays, Ohtani ventured into the home bullpen and threw a series of 10 pitches, marking a key moment in his recovery process.

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani throws first pitches off mound after UCL surgery https://t.co/ZLI93M50Ay via @YahooSports /With offense like that who needs to pitch & run risk of another arm injury? Can there be a 50-50?

— Edward (@Edward508) August 25, 2024

Despite this progress, Dodgers officials have made it clear that Ohtani will not return to pitching at any point this year, including in the postseason. Nevertheless, the brief bullpen session is an encouraging sign as Ohtani continues to work towards his goal of returning to the mound.

Throughout this season, Ohtani has been playing catch intermittently but had yet to throw off a mound until now. His last pitching season saw him achieve a 10-5 record with a 3.14 ERA in 23 starts for the Angels before his elbow injury sidelined him. This recent surgery is Ohtani’s second major elbow procedure; he previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, which kept him from pitching during the 2019 season.

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Throws Off a Mound for 1st Time Since Elbow Surgery Last Fall https://t.co/hh3mNzvrgv

— The Japan News (@The_Japan_News) August 25, 2024

While Ohtani has been unable to contribute on the mound this season, his performance as a hitter has been nothing short of remarkable. Serving exclusively as a designated hitter, Ohtani boasts a batting average of .292, an on-base percentage of .378, and a slugging percentage of .614. His 40 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases highlight his exceptional versatility and power, underscoring why he remains one of baseball’s most electrifying players. Despite his current pitching limitations, Ohtani’s impact at the plate and on the bases continues to be a significant asset to his team.

More on Ohtani

• MLB and Media: Commentators have been celebrating Ohtani’s inclusion in the exclusive 40-40 club (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a single season), noting that he reached this milestone faster than any player in MLB history. His achievements are being compared to those of legends like Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez​ JAPAN Forward
• 40-40 Club Achievement: Shohei Ohtani became the sixth player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, reaching this feat faster than anyone else before him. This puts him in the company of elite players like Barry Bonds and Alfonso Soriano​ JAPAN Forward

Key Points:

• Ohtani’s Milestone Achievement: Shohei Ohtani reached the 40-40 milestone with a walk-off grand slam, marking another highlight in his dynamic season.
• Pitching Rehab Progress: He threw off a mound for the first time since his September elbow surgery, signaling a key step in his pitching recovery.
• No Return to Pitching This Year: Despite the progress, Ohtani will not pitch for the Dodgers this season, including the postseason.
• Past Pitching Success: Last season, Ohtani had a strong pitching record (10-5, 3.14 ERA) before an elbow injury required surgery.
• Impressive Hitting Stats: Ohtani has been outstanding as a designated hitter this season, with a .292 batting average, 40 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases.

Fallon Jacobson – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News