Shohei Ohtani injected a dose of excitement into the Los Angeles Dodgers spring training on Saturday, albeit in an unexpected fashion. Rather than showcasing his prodigious hitting prowess, Ohtani surprised onlookers by taking the mound and displaying his exceptional pitching abilities.
Ohtani’s recent pitching performance during Dodgers spring training has generated significant buzz. After an extended hiatus from competitive pitching, Ohtani unleashed a fastball clocked at 94 miles per hour, as reported by USA Today MLB columnist Bob Nightengale. This remarkable display of velocity was further documented by the MLB X account, which captured Ohtani warming up on the mound.
Shohei Ohtani Hits 94 MPH At Los Angeles Dodgers Spring Training
Ohtani, a right-handed pitcher, has yet to make his debut on the mound for the Dodgers. Following his recent acquisition from the Los Angeles Angels, he has been sidelined due to the lingering effects of elbow surgery. This procedure, performed during his tenure with the Angels, has precluded him from pitching competitively. Furthermore, Ohtani is currently recovering from a partially torn labrum in his shoulder, an injury sustained during his exhilarating World Series performance with the Angels.
However, Ohtani has been diligently working towards his return to the mound. Prior to his recent bullpen session, he engaged in flat-ground throwing exercises, as reported by the Associated Press.
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Ohtani’s last competitive pitching appearance occurred on August 23, 2023, a period preceding his record-breaking $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
“Ohtani’s recent bullpen session has sparked speculation about his potential availability for the season opener on March 18th. However, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has tempered expectations, indicating that Ohtani’s return to the mound is likely to occur later in the season. Roberts has publicly stated that he does not anticipate Ohtani resuming pitching duties until May, but has since said Ohtani would return sooner than later.