Last game as a pitcher, Ohtani, can you recover 100 miles?

Feb 17, 2025

Last game as a pitcher, Ohtani, can you recover 100 miles?
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is warming up pitching before bullpen pitching on the 16th (Korea time). AFP Yonhap News



Last game as a pitcher, Ohtani, can you recover 100 miles?
Shohei Otani sends a signal with his hand during the catch. AFP Yonhap News
As LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who returns to the mound after two major surgeries, successfully played his first bullpen pitching in spring training on the 16th (Korea time), local media in the U.S. and Japan expressed strong expectations.

Japan's Kyodo News reported that `Otani played his first bullpen pitching in spring training' and that manager Dave Roberts predicted Ohtani would be able to play live pitching ahead of the Chicago Cubs and the opening series at Tokyo Dome on the 18th and 19th.'

Roberts, who watched Ohtani's bullpen pitching, said "Arrest came out from 92-94 days. I'm very satisfied for my first bullpen pitching. "The ball was really good. He seems to be satisfied, too. The command was good, and the ball seemed good. It was a very encouraging day for Shohei.




While pitching on the day, Ohtani exchanged doctors with coaches, checked his speed gun, and checked his ball power. I asked him about his restraint and heard his opinion on the ball's movement. Roberts said, `I know very well what the ball is like. I compared how a lot of what he thinks comes out in numbers."

What's inspiring is speed. If he came up to 94 miles in his first bullpen pitching, he is very likely to regain his speed in 2023, before the surgery.

Last game as a pitcher, Ohtani, can you recover 100 miles?
Otani received Tommy John Surgery twice in 2018 and 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. AP Yonhap News
Ohtani received right elbow Tommy John Surgery (TJS) on September 21, 2023. It was the second TJS in his life. Ohtani, who previously received TJS in October 2018 when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, returned to the mound in 2020, but threw only two games and ended the season due to recurrence of arm pain. However, he played a full-time rotation in 2021, effectively playing a combined pitching season for the first time.




That year, Ohtani's restraint averaged 95.6 miles, up to 101.1 miles. In 2018, when he made his major league debut and pitched 10 games, he had a maximum of 101.1 miles and an average of 96.7 miles. The restraint did not fall after TJS.

However, in 2022, when he peaked as a pitcher, he showed a maximum of 101.2 miles and an average of 97.3 miles. Compared to his Major League debut season, his average speed is 0.6 miles faster. In 2023, it was up to 101.2 miles and an average of 96.8 miles.

However, this time after the second TJS. It could actually be the last chance for a pitcher. Ohtani also said in an interview with Japanese media NHK at the end of last year, `If you get injured again and perform surgery, it will be more difficult to rehabilitate for a year and a half. You may be worse off as a pitcher" he said.




For this reason, this pitching rehabilitation is bound to proceed very carefully and carefully. Ohtani, who could have taken the mound in this year's opening game if his shoulder had not been injured in the World Series against the New York Yankees in October last year, postponed his actual appearance a little more and extended his rehabilitation period. Roberts expected to return in May.

Last game as a pitcher, Ohtani, can you recover 100 miles?
Shohei Otani laughs while talking to Blake Snell. AP Yonhap News
ESPN said the day before 'Roberts said it was very feasible for Ohtani to take on hitters at some point in March'The subsequent rehabilitation process is unprecedented and requires creativity. Ohtani should be a key member of the Dodgers lineup during the final stages of his rehabilitation in April. 'This is an important situation that even Ohtani, who is the first double-hitting player since Babe Ruth, has never experienced it.'

Ohtani will play as the designated hitter from the opening series against the Chicago Cubs in Tokyo on March 18-19. And if you cross back to the United States, you will enter a full-fledged pennant race from March 28. At the beginning of April, pitching rehabilitation is entering the actual stage.

Usually, pitchers who have suffered surgery or major injuries take the mound in minor league games and return to the Major League after undergoing a final rehabilitation check. But Ohtani can't go to the minor leagues. This is because he has to lead the Dodgers' lineup as a batter. This is why ESPN called it unprecedented pitching rehabilitation.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior told ESPN, `It's a very unique rehabilitation situation, but it's something we need to do immediately. Ohtani already had a pitching rehabilitation last year while batting. It was pretty smooth, at least on the batter's side. This rehabilitation could also be of that kind. The good thing is that Ohtani is really dedicated to his skills and really meticulous about what he does. He communicates very well about what it takes to prepare, so we have to respond and adapt quickly."

In other words, Ohtani will take the mound every five to six days in simulation games rather than minor league games from the end of March to April to boost his sense of pitching in practice.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.