Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Comeback Timeline Revealed as MLB Insider Drops Major Update on Return to Mound

A guy just hit two homers – Shohei Ohtani cannot catch a break, can he! Well, we don’t blame you! Because given his offensive dominance, it’s only natural for fans to wait for Ohtani’s long-anticipated return to the mound. While updates on his pitching rehab have been trickling in steadily, we are yet to see him in a live game!

And recently, an MLB insider has added a crucial detail to the conversation, revealing the earliest possible timeline for Ohtani’s comeback as a pitcher.

Recovering from a second Tommy John surgery, the Dodgers are understandably proceeding with caution with Ohtani. No doubt, he is a prized possession for the team, and rushing him to the mound might be too costly in the long run. But for the Dodgers fans, the anticipation is especially personal. They are yet to witness Ohtani pitch in the iconic blue and white since his high-profile move from the Angels.

“He’s probably still two months away. He’s still ramping up his pitch count,” ESPN insider Buster Olney shared.

Well, Ohtani is still ramping up his rehab by doing bullpen sessions with the team. Although he threw 22 pitches in one session, reaching up to 97 mph, the Dodgers are exercising caution with his return to the mound. Manager Dave Roberts has emphasized prioritizing Ohtani’s long-term health over immediate needs, especially considering his significant contributions as a designated hitter.

“You’ve got to build a starter up to five, six innings. And so, just the natural progression, I just don’t see it being before that,” Roberts mentioned. So, it will take time to promote him to the starting rotation. And probably, Olney’s updates are on point. A more realistic timeline points to a comeback around the All-Star break in mid-July.

Typically, pitchers returning from TJ go on a minor league rehab assignment to face live hitters and ramp up their pitch counts in lower-stakes environments. But Ohtani isn’t your regular pitcher. He’s a two-way phenom, MLB’s most productive hitter (22 HRs).

So, it is expected that the Dodgers cannot lose Shotime’s bat from the middle of their lineup, even for a few games in the minors. So, that puts the team to go slow with Ohtani…

The Dodgers are still getting enough out of Ohtani’s batting

Last year was Shohei Ohtani’s first full season with the Dodgers. He didn’t pitch, and still the team won the World Series. This year? Ohtani is yet to pitch, but the team is leading the NL West with a 35-22 record. It shows that the Dodgers are more in need of Ohtani’s slugging over his pitching.

Yes, Ohtani as a two-way player offers the maximum value for the team and justifies his $700 million contract. But when the man is leading the 2025 hitting chart, the Dodgers can make peace with his batting.

The just-concluded Yankees-Dodgers game also proved the importance of Ohtani as DH. At one point, the Dodgers were trailing by 2-5 against the Yankees, but still, there was one homer from the Japanese star. Then, from the 6th inning onwards, the tables turned, starting with another homer from the man himself, and finally, snatching the win at 8-5.

If you remember last year, Shohei Ohtani achieved a historic season, becoming the first player in MLB history to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases, becoming the founder of the 50/50 club. And till today, it’s the batting of Shotime making all the right noises for LA.

But no doubt, his return to pitching will be the cherry on top.

Yes, the Dodgers’ pitching lineup needs some fresh blood with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow injured. While Landon Knack and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are doing a pretty good job, they certainly need support. So, the best decision would be to take time and prepare Ohtani for the big break. Get him ready for the postseason.

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