Shohei Ohtani UNCERTAIN about timeline regarding return to pitching mound in 2025 season

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is currently not sure when he will return to the pitching mound in the 2025 season.

Shohei Ohtani UNCERTAIN about timeline regarding return to pitching mound in 2025 season

Shohei Ohtani )Image via X)

Following a successful debut season with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani is looking to repeat the story with the team in the 2025 season. One major thing the fans are looking for in the 2025 season is his long-awaited return to the pitching mound.

The Japanese superstar has not thrown a single pitch since August 2023. He would injure his shoulder and later undergo a UCL surgery. In his first year with the Dodgers, Ohtani played as the DH only.

YouTube video

Ohtani was recently seen throwing some pitches in a practice session in a park. Despite that, the two-way star is unsure about the timeline regarding his return to pitching. During the FanFest, the 2024 NL MVP said that he cannot pinpoint a time for his return.

FS Video

Hard to pinpoint when. Generally looking at a couple of weeks to a month of leeway. It will depend on how my first bullpen session will go. I think the biggest determinant is going to be when I first pitch my bullpen. Then I think we’re going to really get a feel for when I’ll be able to take a big league mound

Shohei Ohtani said through his interpreter Will Ireton

The Dodgers have made some big money moves to strengthen their pitching department this offseason. The team first brought in 2-time Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell on a $182 million deal. They would later bring in Ohtani’s Japanese teammate Roki Sasaki.

Ohtani is expected to be part of the 5-man pitching rotation that would include Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow. Until Ohtani returns, the likes of Tony Gonsolin and Dustin May could be part of the rotation.

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Dave Roberts comments on Shohei Ohtani’s potential return to pitching in 2025

Shohei Ohtani‘s being unsure about his return to the mound had disappointed some fans. After him, his coach Dave Roberts was asked what he thought about the 3-time MVP’s potential return to pitching.

Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani
Dave Roberts and Shohei Ohtani (Image via Imago)

The 52-year-old believes that Ohtani could return to pitching in the month of May. In the FanFest, Roberts did point out that he will not be throwing pitches during the Japan Series against the Chicago Cubs in March.

It might be earlier but I think that the first thing I said earlier this offseason was it wasn’t going to be in the Japan Series… Once he gets to Spring Training and we see where the throwing program is, I think we’ll just go from there.

Dave Roberts said as per MLB.com

Recently, MLB great Barry Bonds spoke on Ohtani’s return to the pitching mound. The 14-time All-Star dropped a bold suggestion regarding him.

Bonds recommended him to stay as the Designated Hitter (DH) of the team instead of being a two-way star. He pointed out his performances as the DH and claimed that pitching would tire him soon.

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As the DH in 2024, Ohtani hit 54 home runs in the regular season while batting with a .311 average. He even stole 58 bases and founded the 50-50 club. These performances saw him being named as the Edgar Martinez Outstanding Designated Hitter of the Year winner. It now remains to be seen how much impact Ohtani will have as the pitcher again following his return from injury.