This past season, Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani had one of the best seasons in recent memory. And yet still, the Dodgers haven’t even experienced the peak of Ohtani’s powers, which could soon be coming.
Following a Tommy John surgery in 2023, Ohtani has stuck strictly to being used as a designated hitter for the Dodgers instead of being used as the two-way player that he was with the Los Angeles Angels.
That could soon be set to change as he recovers from Tommy John surgery and gets back to pitching. On Monday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed that after Ohtani’s first time throwing off a mound last month, he will do so again this coming Saturday.
Shohei Ohtani will throw a bullpen session this Saturday, per Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. It will be Ohtani’s first time throwing off a mound since Feb. 25, as he continues his return from elbow surgery. pic.twitter.com/2GGlpHGTlX
— MLB (@MLB) March 25, 2025
Regardless of whether Ohtani does return as a pitcher this season or not, he will obviously be an incredibly valuable piece of the puzzle for the Dodgers as they look to repeat as World Series champions.
That being said, it would obviously be an added bonus if Ohtani is able to pitch for the Dodgers. His last season as a pitcher, Ohtani recorded a 3.14 ERA and 167 strikeouts in just 132 innings.