Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani ‘Still A Couple Months Away’ from Pitching Return, Roberts Says

Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani is “still a couple months away” from returning to the mound, supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned on Thursday.

“I know that’s still vague, but we’re just trying to get to the next step, get to the next step and see where we’re at,” Roberts mentioned on The Jim Rome Present. “But certainly expect him to pitch for us this year and through the postseason.”

Ohtani has not pitched since August of 2023 when he tore his UCL whereas with the Los Angeles Angels. Roberts was a bit extra optimistic about Ohtani’s timeline this offseason, saying that he might be again on the mound by Could.

After that replace from Roberts in February, he mentioned in March that Ohtani’s return to the mound continues to be “a ways off.”

Ohtani, who gained his third MVP award a season in the past, has turn out to be so dominant on the plate that it is simple to neglect how good he’s on the mound. In 2023, he recorded a 3.14 ERA and 1.06 WHIP throughout 23 begins, selecting up a 10-5 file. In 2022, he notched a career-best 2.33 ERA and 1.01 WHIP, going 15-9 with 28 begins and ending fourth in AL Cy Younger voting.

Whereas the Dodgers have not gotten Ohtani on the mound but, he is earned his profitable contract on the plate. He is coming off a season wherein he hit .310/.390/.646 with 54 residence runs and 130 RBI, including 59 stolen bases as Los Angeles took residence the World Collection.

By 20 video games this 12 months, Ohtani has six homers, eight RBI and 5 stolen bases with a .288 batting common, on tempo for one more 40-home-run, 40-steal season. The Dodgers are 14-6 on the 12 months, sitting in third place in a aggressive NL West.