Shohei Ohtani May Return to the Mound for Postseason

 

Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani has been solely focusing on his hitting this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery late last year, preventing him from pitching for the Dodgers. The plan has been for Ohtani to focus on his designated hitter role while rehabbing for a return to the mound in 2025. However, recent developments suggest that Ohtani could pitch in the upcoming postseason. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts recently mentioned that there’s a "non-zero chance" of Ohtani taking the mound in October, as examined by Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register.

According to Plunkett, Ohtani has been steadily ramping up his throwing program, recently progressing to mound work, where he’s thrown six bullpen sessions, the latest reaching 25 pitches at a velocity of 93 mph. The next step for Ohtani will be facing live hitters in batting practice over the coming weeks.

Ohtani’s Tommy John surgery was performed almost a year ago on September 19, 2023. While recovery from UCL surgery typically takes longer than a year, Ohtani’s timeline isn’t unheard of, though it’s highly unusual given his simultaneous elite-level hitting. Currently, Ohtani is closing in on a historic 50-50 season with 47 home runs and 48 stolen bases. Despite his rehabilitation, his performance keeps him in the running for the Most Valuable Player award.

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior commented on Ohtani's unique rehab, noting that his ability to focus on hitting may help him stay mentally free from the typical struggles pitchers face during rehab. “Maybe it gives him a chance to actually be free and relaxed,” Prior said, acknowledging the impressive nature of Ohtani’s recovery.

The Dodgers face a tough decision. Initially, the team planned to halt Ohtani’s throwing program during the postseason, but his progress could force them to reconsider. Roberts mentioned that discussions are ongoing about potentially changing the plan, adding, “We’ll see. We’ll see.”

Several factors will determine whether Ohtani returns to the mound, including his physical condition and comfort level with pitching again before the offseason. The Dodgers also need to make a deep enough playoff run for his return to make a difference.

While it’s unclear whether Ohtani would be stretched out enough for a starting role, there’s a chance the Dodgers could deploy him as a reliever or in short outings. With their rotation thinned by injuries to key players like Tyler Glasnow, Dustin May, and Clayton Kershaw, a healthy Ohtani could provide a significant boost.

The idea of using Ohtani as a bulk pitcher—similar to how the Dodgers handled Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s recent return—has been floated. Ohtani also has some experience as a reliever, notably closing out the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

Of course, the Dodgers must balance the short-term benefits of using Ohtani in the postseason with the long-term risks, especially since Ohtani is signed for another nine seasons after this year. While the team will prioritize his health, the opportunity to win their first full-season championship since 1988 may lead them to explore all options.

As the situation remains fluid, Ohtani will continue his rehab, and the team will assess his progress. As Roberts noted, “I wouldn’t put it past him to have an eye on that. And we’ll just see how it plays out.”