Dodgers President Provides Insight into Decision to Not Rush Shohei Ohtani Back as Pitcher
The Los Angeles Dodgers are extremely lucky to have such a talent in Shohei Ohtani.
The reigning National League MVP is ramping up to return to the pitcher’s mound in 2025. The only issue is that the original timeline to get Ohtani back to pitching by May is more murky now, especially when manager Dave Roberts doesn’t know when the superstar’s next bullpen will be as the superstar prepares to be the everyday designated hitter for the Dodgers.
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After becoming the first player to hit 50 or more home runs and steal 50 or more bases in a season, along with bringing the franchise’s eigth title home, there aren’t too many issues with a slight setback in playing an additional position, but the desire to return is also something extremely high on Ohtani’s personal wish list.
In late February, Roberts said the Dodgers wanted to “slow-play” Ohtani’s pitching to continue ramping up as a hitter as the regular season approaches. When asked if May is still when the MVP makes his return to the mound, the skipper didn’t know, saying he didn’t want to put any expectation on it.
Dodgers’ president Stan Kasten spoke to Dodgers Nation’s Doug McKain about the team’s move to not rush back Ohtani to the mound, and provided the team’s confidence on Ohtani’s situation.
“Where he is now is approximately where he should be, where he is expected to be,” said Kasten. “I think we have enough of a cushion that we don’t have to rush him because of all the players we have.”
The president continued to say there is no rush to bring back Ohtani to the mound as there is one clear goal in sight during the Fall.
“I think we have enough guys, we are deep enough that we’re gonna be really good, everything that we do is aiming for October, and if he just joins us in May or whenever, that’s gonna great, that’s gonna be fine, because all of us are thinking about October and we have no concerns at all about him being available and effective and being dominant for that.”
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Photo Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
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