(Video) Shohei Ohtani Faces Live Hitters for 1st Time Since Surgery

Shohei Ohtani has been off the pitching mound since suffering a shoulder injury in 2023 while playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

(Video) Shohei Ohtani Faces Live Hitters for 1st Time Since Surgery

Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepared to face the New York Mets on Sunday, there was a Shohei Ohtani sighting that sent shockwaves across the MLB community. Before the game, he faced live hitters for the 1st time since his surgery in 2023.

The reigning National League MVP has not pitched since August 2023. He would injure his shoulder while he was at the Los Angeles Angels and later underwent surgery. As a result of this, he did not play as a 2-way player in 2024.

This worked out well for him as he became the first player to hit 50 home runs and have 50 stolen bases in a regular season. He ended his debut season with the Dodgers as a World Series winner and claimed his 3rd unanimous MVP crown.

Since the end of the 2024 season, one question that has been on the minds of many MLB fans is: when he will pitch for the Dodgers? Earlier this year, he took part in some pitching practice.

On Sunday, the Japanese international took part in a live BP. He faced off live hitters for the first time since his surgery in 2023. Check out a video regarding that below:

The sight of Ohtani taking to the mound as a Dodgers’ star attracted some viewers. A picture of a few Mets players, including their manager Carlos Mendoza, watching Ohtani in action against live hitters went viral.

Kodai Senga drops blunt 3-word reaction after Shohei Ohtani hits home run against him

After making waves through his first pitching session against live hitters, Shohei Ohtani homered against his countryman Kodai Senga. Following the game, Senga dropped a 3-word reaction towards it.

Kodai Senga and Shohei Ohtani
Kodai Senga and Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

Before the game, Senga had given up just 1 home run. Ohtani proceeded to hit his 18th home run of the year as he connected on a 95 mph pitch to start Sunday Night Baseball. This was the second pitch of the game.

Senga ended up having the last laugh as the Mets scored thrice in the game (2 in the bottom of the 1st inning) to win the game 3-1. Following the game, Senga was asked if he enjoyed facing Ohtani. The pitcher would laugh and said no.

It’s not fun.

The Mets also ended up taking the series as well. After losing the first game 7-5 in extra innings, the Mets won 5-2 on Saturday and then picked up an important 3-1 win on Sunday.

Dodgers GM provides important update regarding Shohei Ohtani’s return to the pitching mound

Sunday marked the first time since 2023 that Shohei Ohtani took to the mound to take part in some live batting practice. Following this, the Dodgers GM provided an important update regarding his potential return to the mound.

Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

While speaking at the MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, GM Brandon Gomes expressed that the team will let him pitch once he feels comfortable and not push him too hard.

Ohtani is one of one, so it’s certainly trying to be mindful of all the factors, making sure we’re not losing a crucial part of our lineup, and layering up on workload upon workload. So, a lot of it’s based on how Sho’s feeling and making sure we’re not pushing it too hard.

Ohtani is an important part of the Dodgers’ lineup at the moment. The 4-time MLB All-Star is currently tied with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber for the most runs at 18. Apart from that, he is batting at a .295 average and has an OBP of .388 and SLG of .638.

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