CHICAGO — The timeline for Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitch remains unclear, but just days after the birth of his first child, the Japanese superstar is already back to work and continuing his progression on the mound.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not know Tuesday if Ohtani threw while he was on the paternity list over the weekend, but he said that the brief break didn’t change the 30-year-old’s throwing progression.
Ohtani played catch ahead of the team’s series opener against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. Following that, Roberts said, the next step will be Ohtani throwing a light bullpen Wednesday before coming back for a “full-blown” bullpen Saturday.
“I still don’t know what the next step is [beyond bullpens],” Roberts said, “and I think once he starts facing hitters, then it’ll start to become more pronounced. But right now, he’s still in the mode of just throwing bullpens. He still hasn’t thrown sliders yet, either.”
Ohtani had previously thrown around 30 pitches in a bullpen session on April 12, which followed bullpens on April 5 (26 pitches) and March 29 (20 pitches). He underwent a right ulnar collateral ligament repair procedure in September 2023 and arthroscopic surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder on Nov. 6.
Considering how important Ohtani is to the team even when he is not pitching, Los Angeles is not rushing the process of his return. That in itself, in some eyes, could make bringing him back as a pitcher a risk not worth taking — but Roberts doesn’t see it that way.
“[Ohtani is] a guy that has done it, has performed really well as a pitcher, [has] the desire to do that [and] the talent to do that, and you essentially get two All-Star players in one,” Roberts said. “So there’s a lot of upside, but I certainly understand people’s opinions.”
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani plays catch as he continues his comeback from elbow surgery
Following an off day, the 30-year-old Ohtani threw in the outfield at Wrigley Field before the opener of a two-game set against the Chicago Cubs. He is expected to have a light bullpen session on Wednesday and a “full-blown bullpen” on Saturday, manager Dave Roberts said.
“I still don’t know what the next step is,” Roberts said, “and I think once he starts facing hitters, then it’ll start to become more pronounced. But right now he’s still in the mode of just throwing bullpens, and he still hasn’t thrown sliders yet either.”
Ohtani hasn’t pitched in a major league game since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels. He is recovering from right elbow surgery on Sept. 19, 2023. He paused his pitching work after a mound session on Feb. 25 to prepare for opening day as a hitter.
The reigning NL MVP, who signed a $700 million, 10-year contract with the Dodgers in December 2023, is batting .277 with six homers and eight RBIs going into the series at Chicago.
Left-hander Blake Snell also played catch on Tuesday, and Roberts said it went well. Snell is on the 15-day injured list because of shoulder inflammation.
Tyler Glasnow remains on track to start Sunday at home against Pittsburgh. The 31-year-old right-hander left Sunday’s win against the Rangers because of lower leg cramps.
“I haven’t seen Glas, but from the training staff, they said that there is no more cramping,” Roberts said. “As we traveled here to Chicago he was fine.”