2 days 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
2 days 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
4 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar
Shohei Ohtani (elbow) threw his first bullpen session since Feb. 25 last Saturday. According to manager Dave Roberts, the session went well, and Ohtani threw 25 fastballs. Ohtani was shut down from throwing for a period to build up as a hitter, but Roberts said the 30-year-old three-time MVP threw a light bullpen on Wednesday and is scheduled to throw a heavier one on Saturday in Philadelphia. However, even though Ohtani is throwing bullpens again, there's no timeline for when he'll face live hitters in simulated games. He's fully expected to pitch for the first time in a Dodgers uniform in 2025, but L.A. is in no rush to debut him on the mound with a fully healthy five-man rotation right now. The priority for the Dodgers is to have the ability to use Ohtani as both a pitcher and a hitter come October. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 after having Tommy John surgery in September of 2023.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: DodgersBeat.com - Cody Snavely
5 days agoLos Angeles Dodgers designated hitter
Shohei Ohtani collected three hits on Wednesday, including a walk-off home run, to elevate the Dodgers to a 6-5 victory over the Braves. The win brings Los Angeles to a league-leading 8-0 record, while it sent Atlanta spiraling down to 0-7 on the year. The homer was Ohtani's third of the season, and he is now batting .333 with three home runs, three RBI, 11 runs, and two stolen bases through eight games. He continues to show why he is one of the best players to ever step on the field and remains one of the best hitters in fantasy.
--Jeremy Heist - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
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