After a long wait, the two-way marvel Shohei Ohtani stood back on the mound for a bullpen session. However, it wasn’t just any regular bullpen; it was a significant moment in his journey back to full health. As the ball left his hand, it was clear—Ohtani was one step closer to being the dominant two-way player that everyone, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, was eagerly waiting to rely on.
Each pitch that was thrown felt like a victory. The Dodgers manager, Dave Roberts, was quick to offer his thoughts.“I thought it was great,” Dave said, clearly excited. “Just kind of seeing his delivery, which was really good, the clean arm stroke… Gosh, the velocity, the ball was coming out really good.” The session saw Ohtani’s fastball clocking an impressive 95 mph while adding a cutter back into the mix. Roberts referred to this as “a big step,” emphasizing the importance of Ohtani getting back to the mound.
This progress with Ohtani’s recovery isn’t just about velocity; it’s about the return of his full pitching arsenal. The arsenal, which has always been an asset for Ohtani, be it the two-seam, four-seam, or the cutter. The cutter, though, is an essential part of his pitch mix. It had been a key offering before his surgery, thrown 15.7% of the time in 2023, though hitters managed a .310 batting average against it. And now adding back the cutter speaks volumes about the health of Ohtani’s arm post-surgery.
The Dodgers are continuing to monitor Ohtani’s recovery, although the question that lingers is how they will balance his return to pitching with his role as a designated hitter. Shohei’s bat was incredible last season, averaging .310 with 54 homers and 130 RBI. While his pitching return is projected to be in May, the team must figure out how to manage his workload. In such a way that he can hit every day while also building his pitch count to be ready for a starting role in the rotation. It is a fine line to walk for both him and the management, but with Ohtani’s progress, the Dodgers are optimistic about the future.
How do the Dodgers plan to manage Shohei’s workload?
As the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare for their premier player Shohei Ohtani‘s return to the mound, the team is brainstorming ways to balance his dual-role responsibilities.
With Ohtani back on track to resume his pitching in the MLB by May, the team is fully aware of the consequences.“He’s excited to pitch,” said manager Dave Roberts, echoing the anticipation surrounding Ohtani’s return. “I’m as excited and curious as you guys are,” he added. However, with the excitement comes the way to finding the right balance. A balance that will allow him to recover fully while maintaining his elite performance.
A key element in managing Ohtani’s workload will be the implementation of a six-man rotation. This strategy will help reduce his total innings as a pitcher, providing more recovery time between starts and lowering the risk of overuse. It will also prevent any mid-season break since Ohtani has clearly expressed that he wants to play no matter what. Additionally, balancing these achievements with his pitching duties means the Dodgers may need to give him additional rest days as a designated hitter. This will prevent burnout and allow him to focus on staying healthy for both roles.
Ultimately, Ohtani’s workload will need to be carefully calibrated to maximize his impact without risking his health. This balancing act will be one of the key challenges for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024. With a calculated and thoughtful approach, he will be back to his two-way dominant ways in no time!
