Shohei Ohtani Shows Encouraging Progress in Return to Pitching

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Jun 11, 2025 - 01:30

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Shohei Ohtani Shows Encouraging Progress in Return to Pitching originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The Los Angeles Dodgers are aiming for a series win over NL West rival San Diego Padres to start the week.

LA's biggest problem while emerging as the front-runners in the NL West has been in their pitching rotation.

Their rotation has been trying to come back to full health after seeing over 18 different pitchers serving time on the injured list.

Although he's been one of the most dominant players in the MLB, Shohei Ohtani is another pitching option that the Dodgers have never been able to see start a game on the mound for them.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) looks on during an at-bat during the third inning against the New York Mets at Dodger Stadium.Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

Despite winning the NL MVP in 2024 and having the second most home runs in the league so far this season, Ohtani hasn't seen the mound since his time with the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

He underwent his second Tommy John surgery of his career in September of 2023, and the Dodgers have been patient in Ohtani's recovery process from the procedure.

Shohei Ohtani was seen facing batters in his rehab process on Tuesday

Before the start of this season, manager Dave Roberts informed the MLB world that Shohei Ohtani is expected to start pitching again sometime in the 2025 season.

There's no set timetable for the 30-year-old's return, but it looks to be coming sooner rather than later.

Ohtani was seen facing hitters in the Dodgers' batting practice before their game against the Padres on Tuesday night.

Shohei Ohtani is facing hitters for the third time in his rehab process. pic.twitter.com/HfY2dnmXSs— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 10, 2025

Shohei Ohtani's pitching career has been just as dominant as his batting ability.

In 86 career starts on the mound, Ohtani has a 3.01 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and has struck out 608 batters in 481.2 innings pitched.

Although it's uncertain when the three-time MVP will return to the mound, it looks like Shohei Ohtani is still expected to be making his Dodgers pitching debut sometime in 2025.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.