Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained

Jun 30, 2025

Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained
LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani starts against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadioume on the 29th (Korea time) and pitches in the bottom of the first inning. AP Yonhap News



Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained
Otani is warming up pitching before the game. AP Yonhap News
It's always unexpected and exceeding expectations.

LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who returned to the mound after a year and 10 months after pitching rehabilitation, broke the career speed of the major leagues.

Ohtani started the game against the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium on the 29th (Korea time) and successfully completed his third pitching back by allowing one hit, one walk, and one strikeout in two innings.




In particular, Ohtani's fastball speed reached a maximum of 101.7 miles (163.7 kilometers), breaking his highest since entering the Major League in 2018. The previous record was 101.4 miles thrown when he struck out Kyle Tucker swinging in the bottom of the third inning against the Houston Astros on Sept. 11, 2022.

It is a miracle that a pitcher who has undergone surgery twice in the past two years will speed up immediately after his return, and it is due to superhuman strength. Ohtani underwent surgery to reconstruct ligaments in his right elbow in September 2023 during his time with the Los Angeles Angels. It was actually the second Tommy John Surgery (TJS) in his life. And Ohtani, who devoted himself to pitching rehabilitation after moving to the Dodgers last year, injured his left shoulder while stealing in the second game of the World Series against the New York Yankees in October and underwent joint suture surgery. As a result, this year's return to the mound has been postponed to June.

Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained
Shohei Otani smiles brightly while pitching in the bottom of the second inning. AFP Yonhap News
Usually, pitchers who received TJS sometimes increase their speed after returning. However, it is very unusual for a pitcher who has received two TJSs to increase his speed.




Manager Dave Roberts said after the game that `It is definitely positive that Ohtani pitched two innings today. I didn't know the restraint was up to 102 miles. I saw it about 100 miles, and I didn't expect that much. I threw it today, so I just hope he's in good shape tomorrow."

Roberts then said, `We can't take away competition from Otani. There must be some stress, but from then on, a hundred miles would start to be visible and would have tried to bully the batsmen. "No one knows Otani better than himself. You control yourself well. I'm glad to see the triple-digit speed again."

Ohtani showed a maximum fastball speed of 100.2 miles and an average of 99.1 miles in his return match against the San Diego Padres on the 17th. On the 23rd, the Washington Nationals recorded a maximum of 98.8 miles and an average of 97.9 miles. On this day, the fastball speed of 11 pitches was up to 101.7 miles and an average of 98.8 miles, compared to three for more than 100 miles.




Seven fastballs over 100 miles have been made by the Dodgers this season. Ohtani threw four of them. Of course, 101.7 miles is the highest speed for a Dodgers pitcher this season.

Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained
Shohei Otani sprays the ball vigorously in the bottom of the first inning. AFP Yonhap News
Just before receiving TJS, Ohtani had a maximum fastball speed of 101.2 miles and an average of 96.8 miles in 2023. In 2022, when it peaked as a pitcher, it was a maximum of 101.4 miles and an average of 97.3 miles. However, this year, it may be because of the side of throwing one or two innings, but he has broken his maximum speed and is enjoying a career high with an average of 98.7 miles.

After the game, Ohtani said, "It's an unexpected speed while pitching live, but I'm happy that I'm in good shape after over 100 miles."I'm glad I got back to the mound and threw it smoothly. Especially considering when I had my first elbow surgery, my recovery is much better. I talked to my doctor, and he was sure he could come back in perfect form as a pitcher." Ohtani's elbow surgeon is Dr. Neil Elatrice.

The batter who faced Ohtani's highest speed fastball on the day was left-handed first baseman Vinny Pasquantino. He hit Ohtani's 101.7-mile fastball with one out and runners on first and second in the bottom of the first inning when he was 0-0, but he hit it with a double play by second baseman. It was a double play that led to second baseman Kim Hye-sung, shortstop Mookie Betts, and first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Are you a 31-year-old pitcher who's had two elbow surgeries? Ohtani shot 164km and was surprised by himself. The first baseman of Sacrifice KC complained
Kansas City first baseman Vinny Pasquantino. AP Yonhap News
However, Ohtani's highest arrest, measured by Statcast, a pitching tracking system, after entering the Major League, came at the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Of course, the opposing hitter at the time was Pasquantino. Ohtani started the game against the Italian national team at the time and struck out leadoff hitter Pasquantino with a 102-mile outside fastball in the top of the second inning. In other words, since Ohtani joined ML, Pasquantino has faced both the top and second fastest arrests, and has withdrawn helplessly.

Pasquantino said after the game "He keeps throwing at me like that. I dealt with two of the fastest throws of his career"I wanted to have a conversation with him. I was going to talk to you when I came to first base today (I couldn't). Two years ago in Japan, he threw a 166km ball at me, and he looked at the electronic display and said, 'What is it? I thought, 'I don't know what the number is, but he likes to throw fastballs at me.'"





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.