Shohei Ohtani is really good at baseball. In his first season with the Dodgers, he posted the first 30-30 season of his career and broke several LA franchise records, making him the favorite to win NL MVP (though Elly De La Cruz is slowly nipping at his heels). If Ohtani wins, he would be the first primary DH in history to do so in both leagues.
And that’s not all! Ohtani is only playing at half his ability this season. Last year, he had to undergo elbow surgery on his throwing arm, which keeps him from being on the mound.
He has been rehabbing all season and has been spotted throwing frequently on the field at Dodger Stadium since late March. According to ESPN’s Alden González, he has improved to 150 feet and 85% intensity and is expected to start throwing from the mound again in September.
The Dodgers’ ultimate goal for Ohtani this season is to get him facing hitters, whether in a live BP or a short simulation game. That’s great news, but Dodgers fans also shouldn’t get their hopes up about seeing him pitch in the postseason.
Shohei Ohtani is close to getting back off the mound, and the Dodgers hope to have him facing batters before October.
About his pursuit of the impossible and the attention to detail that makes those around him believe that he can do it again …https://t.co/JidCMj2CjU
— Alden Gonzalez (@Alden_Gonzalez) 8 August 2024
Even if Ohtani does face other hitters this year, the Dodgers’ plan is to hold him back from pitching in the postseason and have him pitch again in the offseason. The Dodgers have handled Ohtani with kid gloves, and for good reason; aside from him being a $700 million investment for them, complications with Ohtani’s elbow caused by pitching too early could take him off the roster entirely. That’s not something the Dodgers can afford during a playoff run, and could make things worse later on.
Waiting a little longer to see Ohtani make his pitching debut might be a little painful, but it’s safe to say the Dodgers will try to have him in Tokyo for their Opening Day next season, if only because it would be a great image for him to make his pitching debut for the Dodgers against another Japanese-born starter (Shōta Imanaga) in their home country.
So the Dodgers should take their time here. While having another proven starter in the rotation would help them in the postseason, putting pressure on Ohtani before he’s fully ready is far too big a risk.
