2 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers pitcher/designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) threw his scheduled bullpen session on Saturday. Ohtani threw a 30-pitch session that included fastballs and splitters exclusively. The two-way superstar hasn't quite progressed to facing live hitters yet. The Dodgers are going to continue being cautious with their superstar. The organization is hopeful that Ohtani can get back on the mound at some point before the All-Star break in mid-July. Fantasy managers holding Ohtani will need to continue be patient with him as a pitcher, as the Dodgers aren't going to rush him back on the mound.
--Andy Webb - RotoBallerSource: Fabian Ardaya
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers two-way star
Shohei Ohtani had another exciting offensive performance in Monday's 6-4 loss to the Nationals. Ohtani was a double away from hitting for the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a single, a triple, a two-run home run, a walk, and a strikeout. The 30-year-old tied things up at 2-2 in the third inning, launching a
MacKenzie Gore fastball into the right-field bullpen. While Ohtani is still working his way back to providing fantasy value on the mound, he has picked up where he left off offensively from last season. He now owns a .311/.436/.644 slash line with four HR, 13 runs scored, five RBI, and two stolen bases in 55 plate appearances. Ohtani should continue to be a top fantasy contributor as a hitter alone, with the potential to return to the mound later in the season.
--Connelly Doan - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani (elbow) incorporated sliders during a bullpen session in Philadelphia on Saturday that manager Dave Roberts called "positive." Ohtani threw 26 pitches before the team's 3-2 win over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park as he gets closer to fully recovering from right-elbow surgery he had back on Sept. 19 of 2023. It was the 30-year-old right-hander's second bullpen session after pausing his mound sessions on Feb. 25 to ramp up for Opening Day as a hitter. There's no timetable for when the three-time MVP will be ready to make his 2025 debut on the mound for the Blue, but when he does, the Dodgers are expected to use a six-man rotation, which will give him extra rest. Although Ohtani is more attractive in fantasy as a hitter after his record-breaking season in 2024, he still has plenty of upside for his arm after going 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 K's in 481 2/3 innings as a pitcher.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com
1 week agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter/starting pitcher
Shohei Ohtani (elbow) completed a "light" bullpen session on Thursday and is set to throw a larger session before Saturday's contest. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but he does not hold a definite timeline on when he will begin to face live hitters. However, if Ohtani continues to progress without setbacks, he could be in the mix to return to the bump sometime in the first half of the campaign. The 30-year-old was only able to be deployed as a hitter during the 2024 campaign as he underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2023. In 2024, Ohtani ran away with the NL MVP Award as he established the 50-50 club. In 2023, Ohtani posted a strong 3.23 ERA with a 1.06 WHIP across 132 innings with the Angels. He struck out 167 batters. Ohtani will only see his fantasy value increase when he is cleared to rejoin the starting rotation.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Bill Plunkett
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