Los Angeles Dodgers fans are holding their breath as their favorite star, Shohei Ohtani, recently delivered an alarming update regarding his pitching health. While Ohtani has shown significant recovery from his surgery, things are not heading in a positive direction.
Coming from his drastic injury in 2023 that led to Tommy John surgery, Ohtani has been facing some uneasiness lately. The Japanese phenom stopped for a media interaction during a bullpen session. The Dodgers star broke down his current state of health, which might give concerns to the LA fans.
“Just a limited range of motion. I’ve gone through it with the elbow before, and with the shoulder, it’s a little bit more complicated. I do believe that’s the part that I have to be patient. I do feel like there’s some discomfort that I still have to overcome,” Shohei said.
During the conversation, Ohtani described his current condition as involving a limited range of motion in his shoulder. He also noted his past experiences with elbow issues, noting that shoulder recovery tends to be a more intricate process.
“It’s not really debilitating … but there’s a limited range of motion. I’ve gone through it with the elbow before, but with the shoulder, it’s a little more complicated. But I do feel confident that I’ll be able to make it when our season opens,” Ohtani added during a recent interaction.
This news is particularly troubling given that fans have eagerly anticipated his return to the pitching mound. Ohtani’s confidence in eventually being able to pitch is encouraging, but the discomfort he mentioned could slow his comeback.
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Shohei Ohtani Might Be Pitching Sooner Rather Than Later
While Shohei Ohtani is making significant strides in his recovery from Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers might not have to wait long to see him back on the mound. This weekend marks a crucial milestone for Ohtani as he is set to throw his first bullpen session. Though he has already been working on all his pitches, including his sweeper, on flat ground.
Shohei Ohtani said he’s expecting to throw his first bullpen this weekend. Has been throwing all his pitches — including, as of today, his sweeper — on flat ground.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) February 12, 2025
Ohtani also hit on the field today. https://t.co/xRtuCCTqTB
For someone who hasn’t pitched since the end of the 2023 season with the LA, this is a hopeful sign that his return to competitive pitching is on the horizon. Manager Dave Roberts has been clear about the team’s approach. According to him, they plan to ease Ohtani back into the game.
While he won’t be pitching in any Cactus League games, he is expected to make his official return in May. The act of throwing on a real dirt mound during the upcoming bullpen is a strong indicator of his progress. This carefully monitored path, balancing recovery with readiness, is a preventive approach from the Dodgers to ensuring Ohtani returns in peak form.
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