Shohei Ohtani Won't Pitch In Cactus League Games
3 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts doesn't have a start date yet for two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow, shoulder) to starting throwing full bullpen sessions this spring. Roberts says that Ohtani will be pitching "sooner rather than later," but he won't pitch in any Cactus League games. The 30-year-old Japanese hurler is recovering from surgeries on his right elbow and his left (non-throwing) shoulder and isn't expected to join the Dodgers' starting rotation until sometime in May, which obviously makes him much more attractive as a hitter than a pitcher again in 2025. Ohtani didn't pitch at all in 2024 after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September of 2023. In addition to his elbow surgery, Ohtani tore the labrum in his left shoulder during the World Series, but it shouldn't affect his timetable to return as a pitcher. UPDATE: Ohtani said he's expecting to throw his first bullpen session this weekend. He has been throwing all of his pitches on flat ground and also hit on the field at camp on Wednesday.
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya