Returning pitcher Ohtani recorded 161km in 682 days → Fastball faster than before injury...Superstar's presence
Jun 18, 2025
|
|
|
Ohtani's record of returning to the pitcher is surprising the U.S. local area. He pitched one inning against the San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on the 17th (Korea time).
The result was two hits and one run in one inning and 28 pitches. As there was a 663-day gap, the ball control was somewhat shaken and he couldn't strike out. It is his first appearance as a pitcher since his transfer to the Dodgers. Ohtani took the mound against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 24, 2023, when he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels, and has been a batter since he underwent Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament bonding and reconstructive surgery) in September of that year.
However, on the 18th, MLB.COM paid attention to the speed of its arrest even faster than before the elbow injury. Despite his 31-year-old age this year, his fastball, which boasts a height of 1 meter and long limbs, has gone up even further.
In general, pitchers who return from elbow injuries tend to have less early restraint. However, Ohtani showed off his fastball faster than in 2023.
He hit 97.6 miles (about 157 kilometers) from the first pitch, and the maximum speed was a 100.2 mile (about 161 kilometers) fastball thrown to Luis Arraez. For Ohtani, it was his first 100-mile experience in 682 days since Aug. 4, 2023, against the Seattle Mariners.
|
Sincker's ball speed reached 98.8 miles (about 159 kilometers), but his ball control was not good. Fastball, right-handed sweeper, and body-bending sinker are pitcher Ohtani's '3 Shinji'.
However, MLB.COM said, `Sinker's move was not good. Instead, the sweeper commented, "It's amazing." The sweeper's average speed was 86.6 miles (about 137 kilometers) and the horizontal change was 12 inches (about 30 centimeters).
This means that if Ohtani adapts more to the mound and throws the ball in 'normal condition', the batters' swing and miss could increase rapidly. Ohtani's ball was still alive despite his first appearance in two years.
However, pitchers who have completed Tommy John surgery generally have problems maintaining their arrest for one to two years. The key is whether Ohtani can maintain his speed six to seven innings as before when he throws as a starter in the future.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
