Shohei Ohtani still has a long way to progress before he’s ready to pitch for the Los Angeles Dodgers. But the two-way superstar took an important step in his recovery on Tuesday.
Ohtani threw breaking pitches for the first time during a throwing session before Tuesday’s game versus the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to manager Dave Roberts. More specifically, he threw sliders while working from flat ground.
Advertisement
In previous workouts, Ohtani hadn’t been permitted to throw any pitches besides fastballs and splitters while continuing to build strength without putting added stress on his surgically repaired right elbow.
“It is progressing,” Roberts told reporters, via the Los Angeles Times. “I’m not sure when he’s going to take that slider from the flat ground to the bullpen, but that is progress. Yes.”
The number of pitches Ohtani has thrown during these sessions has also increased, steadily moving up from roughly a dozen to 25 and now to 50. Additionally, Ohtani has been taking pauses during his workouts to simulate leaving the mound and waiting in the dugout in between innings, as he would in an actual game.
Though the Dodgers haven’t announced a specific timeline for Ohtani’s return to pitching, projections are for him to take the mound at some point around the All-Star break in July.
Advertisement
“I really wish I had an answer [on when it will be],” Roberts added. “I’m just waiting for the green light from people that are sort of managing Shohei’s rehab.”
The Dodgers could certainly benefit from Ohtani joining the starting rotation. The team’s pitching ranks 11th in the NL (and 23rd in MLB) with a 4.22 ERA. Starters Tyler Glasnow, Blake Snell and Roki Sasaki are all on the injured list, along with relievers Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips and Kirby Yates.
“It’s not the staff we thought we’d have this season,” Roberts said on Monday.
Until then, Ohtani is providing his usual production with his bat. He’s hitting .311/.405/.668 with 17 home runs (tied for the MLB lead), 31 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 222 plate appearances.
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Stars vs. Oilers scores, schedule, odds, where to watch as Dallas rallies for come-from-behind Game 1 win
Getty Images The Dallas Stars looked dead in the water for the first 40 minutes of Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. But in the final 20 minutes, the Stars unleashed a five-goal barrage for a 6-3 win to take a 1-0 series lead.In the first two periods, the Oilers were clearly the better team, and they took a 3-1 lead into the final frame. Unfortunately for them, there was one period remaining, and it belonged to the Stars.Just 32 seconds into the third, Miro Heiskanen gave the Stars life with a power play goal from the point to make it a 3-2 game.That kicked off a parade to the penalty box for Edmonton, and Dallas took advantage. The Stars scored on three consecutive power plays with Mikael Granlund tying the game just […]
Pacers’ shocking comeback over Knicks creates result that’s never been seen before in NBA playoffs
Getty Images If the New York Knicks' fourth-quarter collapse in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was unbelievable that's probably because it was the first of its kind, dating back to the start of the play-by-play era in 1997.With 2:45 remaining in the fourth-quarter, just six seconds after Jalen Brunson knocked down a 3-point attempt, the Knicks led the Indiana Pacers by 14 points. That lead looked pretty safe, especially since teams in that exact scenario in playoff games were 994-0 in the play-by-play era.They are now 994-1. The Knicks could only watch as Aaron Nesmith sank four 3-pointers — and added a pair of free throws — in the final 2:04 of regulation. Things only got worse for New York when Tyrese Haliburton knocked down a circus shot to tie the game at the buzzer before hitting the […]
Charles Barkley calls on NBA, Pacers to let Tyrese Haliburton’s dad return to games after Giannis Antetokounmpo incident
At least in the eyes of Charles Barkley, John Haliburton has more than served his punishment.Barkley, after the Indiana Pacers’ overtime win against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night, called on NBA commissioner Adam Silver to let John attend Games 3 and 4 of the series in Indianapolis.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJohn, the father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, hasn’t attended a Pacers game since his on-court confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the playoffs.“Hey, my man paid his dues,” Barkley said on TNT. “He did something really, really stupid. But he’s been punished. I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Games 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough, he will […]
How Marc Cucurella became an important element of Chelsea’s attack
On paper, Marc Cucurella has been playing as a left-back for Chelsea, but his role in possession has been much more varied than that.Over Enzo Maresca’s debut season as their head coach, Cucurella has filled different positions in Chelsea’s 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball. The Spaniard has featured in the first line of the build-up, next to Moises Caicedo in the double pivot, as a left No 10 when they go to the box midfield and as the widest attacker down the left wing.AdvertisementIn Chelsea’s alternate 3-1-3-3 attacking shape, Cucurella has played similar roles and proved to be an effective solution in the attacking third, especially against back-five formations.Here, in the 1-0 win against Leicester City in March, Cucurella is the left-winger when Chelsea are in possession, while Christopher Nkunku and Enzo Fernandez flank Cole Palmer as the three No […]
Paige Bueckers’ pro debut in Minnesota was a reflection of her roots and inspiration
MINNEAPOLIS — Ten miles southwest of where Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers received a roaring ovation Wednesday night at the Target Center, she first learned how to shoot a basketball. She was just another anonymous ponytailed kid who spent her winters in the gymnasium. It’s a part of the culture here, she says now with the gift of hindsight, and a credit to biting Minnesota snowstorms — basketball blessings in the form of subzero temps and bone-chilling winds.AdvertisementBueckers grew up playing in gyms across the state, then the region, then the country, her name slowly gaining more recognition and acclaim with every passing season. She did so in the shadows of a basketball dynasty being born with the Minnesota Lynx on the shoulders (and passes) of another Minnesota kid — Lindsay Whalen, a point guard who grew up in an […]
Wortley Wembley: Leeds’ inner-city pitch saved by Bielsa and viewed as Elland Road’s little sister
On the wall of a pet shop in a quiet corner of Leeds, there is something of a shrine dedicated to Leeds United. There are framed photographs of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Pablo Hernandez and Gary Speed celebrating with David Batty after clinching 1992’s First Division title.If you get close enough, you will also see a framed letter from the club’s lauded one-time head coach Marcelo Bielsa. It was sent to Arron Lambert, the shop’s owner, in January 2022, a month before the Argentinian was sacked.Advertisement“I am very grateful you have sent me your letter with the beautiful photos of that space you and all the people value so much,” Bielsa wrote. “There is nothing I can do better than tell you the club is supporting this cause and that of all those who are interested in it.“I hope the […]
Related
Stars vs. Oilers scores, schedule, odds, where to watch as Dallas rallies for come-from-behind Game 1 win
Getty Images The Dallas Stars looked dead in the water for the first 40 minutes of Game 1 of the Western Conference final against the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. But in the final 20 minutes, the Stars unleashed a five-goal barrage for a 6-3 win to take a 1-0 series lead.In the first two periods, the Oilers were clearly the better team, and they took a 3-1 lead into the final frame. Unfortunately for them, there was one period remaining, and it belonged to the Stars.Just 32 seconds into the third, Miro Heiskanen gave the Stars life with a power play goal from the point to make it a 3-2 game.That kicked off a parade to the penalty box for Edmonton, and Dallas took advantage. The Stars scored on three consecutive power plays with Mikael Granlund tying the game just […]
Pacers’ shocking comeback over Knicks creates result that’s never been seen before in NBA playoffs
Getty Images If the New York Knicks' fourth-quarter collapse in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals was unbelievable that's probably because it was the first of its kind, dating back to the start of the play-by-play era in 1997.With 2:45 remaining in the fourth-quarter, just six seconds after Jalen Brunson knocked down a 3-point attempt, the Knicks led the Indiana Pacers by 14 points. That lead looked pretty safe, especially since teams in that exact scenario in playoff games were 994-0 in the play-by-play era.They are now 994-1. The Knicks could only watch as Aaron Nesmith sank four 3-pointers — and added a pair of free throws — in the final 2:04 of regulation. Things only got worse for New York when Tyrese Haliburton knocked down a circus shot to tie the game at the buzzer before hitting the […]
Charles Barkley calls on NBA, Pacers to let Tyrese Haliburton’s dad return to games after Giannis Antetokounmpo incident
At least in the eyes of Charles Barkley, John Haliburton has more than served his punishment.Barkley, after the Indiana Pacers’ overtime win against the New York Knicks in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals on Wednesday night, called on NBA commissioner Adam Silver to let John attend Games 3 and 4 of the series in Indianapolis.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJohn, the father of Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton, hasn’t attended a Pacers game since his on-court confrontation with Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round of the playoffs.“Hey, my man paid his dues,” Barkley said on TNT. “He did something really, really stupid. But he’s been punished. I’m asking you and the Indiana Pacers to let Mr. Haliburton back in the building for Games 3 and 4. Listen, he paid his dues. It shouldn’t be indefinite. He’s been punished enough, he will […]
How Marc Cucurella became an important element of Chelsea’s attack
On paper, Marc Cucurella has been playing as a left-back for Chelsea, but his role in possession has been much more varied than that.Over Enzo Maresca’s debut season as their head coach, Cucurella has filled different positions in Chelsea’s 3-2-4-1 shape on the ball. The Spaniard has featured in the first line of the build-up, next to Moises Caicedo in the double pivot, as a left No 10 when they go to the box midfield and as the widest attacker down the left wing.AdvertisementIn Chelsea’s alternate 3-1-3-3 attacking shape, Cucurella has played similar roles and proved to be an effective solution in the attacking third, especially against back-five formations.Here, in the 1-0 win against Leicester City in March, Cucurella is the left-winger when Chelsea are in possession, while Christopher Nkunku and Enzo Fernandez flank Cole Palmer as the three No […]
Paige Bueckers’ pro debut in Minnesota was a reflection of her roots and inspiration
MINNEAPOLIS — Ten miles southwest of where Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers received a roaring ovation Wednesday night at the Target Center, she first learned how to shoot a basketball. She was just another anonymous ponytailed kid who spent her winters in the gymnasium. It’s a part of the culture here, she says now with the gift of hindsight, and a credit to biting Minnesota snowstorms — basketball blessings in the form of subzero temps and bone-chilling winds.AdvertisementBueckers grew up playing in gyms across the state, then the region, then the country, her name slowly gaining more recognition and acclaim with every passing season. She did so in the shadows of a basketball dynasty being born with the Minnesota Lynx on the shoulders (and passes) of another Minnesota kid — Lindsay Whalen, a point guard who grew up in an […]
Wortley Wembley: Leeds’ inner-city pitch saved by Bielsa and viewed as Elland Road’s little sister
On the wall of a pet shop in a quiet corner of Leeds, there is something of a shrine dedicated to Leeds United. There are framed photographs of Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling, Pablo Hernandez and Gary Speed celebrating with David Batty after clinching 1992’s First Division title.If you get close enough, you will also see a framed letter from the club’s lauded one-time head coach Marcelo Bielsa. It was sent to Arron Lambert, the shop’s owner, in January 2022, a month before the Argentinian was sacked.Advertisement“I am very grateful you have sent me your letter with the beautiful photos of that space you and all the people value so much,” Bielsa wrote. “There is nothing I can do better than tell you the club is supporting this cause and that of all those who are interested in it.“I hope the […]
Be the first to leave a comment