The Los Angeles Dodgers have recieved a promising update on the reigning National League MVP.
In addition to the MVP honor and a World Series trophy in his first season with the Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani became the first-ever player to smash 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases in 2024. His baseball legend is still being written as he did all this while recovering from a UCL surgery keeping him from pitching last season.
As the three-time MVP manages his return to the mound, things are looking hopeful for L.A.’s pitching roster.
Ohtani threw his third bullpen of spring training Saturday as he upped his pitch count to 25. Per the Orange County Register’s Bill Plunkett, all 25 pitchers were two-seam, four-seam, or cut fastballs.
The reigning MVP also touched 95 mph on the mound for the first time that session.
As the two-way star is also recovering from a torn labrum suffered in the World Series, manager Dave Roberts foresees Ohtani returning to live batting practice Sunday, and potentially debuting in the Cactus League as a designated hitter by the end of the week.
“A really positive day for Shohei,” Roberts said. “Really good stuff for Shohei.”
That could not be more true as it is not only a step up from the 14-pitch and 21-pitch bullpens from his previous outings this spring, but as he revs up to his familiar mid-season form, he will only further prove his dominance on the sport.
It is easy to forget the brilliance of Ohtani on the mound, but he is a career 3.01 ERA pitcher in the five seasons he threw for the Los Angeles Angels. With a record of 38-19 since arriving to the MLB scene in 2018, Ohtani also added 608 strikeouts to only 173 walks during that time.
An already lethal Dodgers pitching roster will be lucky to have the MVP whenever he returns to the rotation.
