MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani had a record season with 57 home runs and 59 stolen bases in 2024 as the Dodgers conquered the World Series, but he is now recovering from a shoulder injury.
Shohei Ohtani’s 2024 World Series heroics came at a cost; a dislocated left shoulder and torn labrum while stealing a base in Game 2.
The problem sidelined him for a grueling offseason recovery but, fortunately for Los Angeles Dodgers fans, the injury spared his throwing arm, which had already undergone elbow surgery in September 2023, keeping him off the mound all season. Now, with significant progress in his rehab, the two-way phenom is eyeing an early May return to reclaim his place as Major League Baseball’s most electrifying player.
Ohtani took part in his first batting practice session during Spring Training and appeared to be in good hitting touch. He is still working to regain his full range of motion, but remains on schedule to begin the season as a designated hitter.
After the practice session, Ohtani addressed reporters, saying: “I do feel like there’s some discomfort that I still have to overcome, but it’s not really debilitating, just a limited range of motion. I’ve gone through it with the elbow before.
“With the shoulder, it’s a little bit more complicated. I do believe that’s the part I have to be patient with.”
While Ohtani’s return as a batter is imminent, questions still remain regarding his involvement as a two-way player. He is likely to be involved in a couple of bullpen sessions this weekend, but the process to join the rotation in the Majors might take some more time.
Ohtani remained optimistic of playing throughout the season but felt that the decision was better left for the team and coaches to make: “I am very satisfied overall with my throwing but I want to let the team dictate that. I do want to play as much as possible, but if the team feels like I should get a break, I’ll follow that.”
Shohei Ohtani says he still feels some discomfort in his left shoulder ( Image: Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
The Dodgers had signed up Japanese pitching sensation, Roki Sasaki as an international free agent during the offseason. The 23-year-old could also possibly be a starter during the season opener in Japan.
Ohtani is not expected to pitch during the Cactus League games in the spring, but manager Dave Roberts revealed his excitement about his star-pitcher’s come-back to the role. “He’s excited to pitch and I am as excited and curious as you guys are to watch him,” he said.
After all, the 30-year-old became the superstar that he is during his time with the Los Angeles Angels as a two way-player with his world-class pitch abilities. Before his Tommy John surgery, Ohtani had finished the 2023 season with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched and conceded just 55 walks at 3.14 ERA.
