Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Making Major Progress in Throwing Program: Report
A throng of media members lined the left field line on Monday as Shohei Ohtani played a game of catch. His throws came from a standstill position, a wide-legged stance, a crow-hop, and a leg kick. He threw 71 in total.
Dodgers head athletic trainer Thomas Albert tracked them all with a Pocket Radar.
“He’s usually pretty close,” Albert said of Ohtani guessing his velocity, “if not spot on.”
Ohtani is rehabbing from a second Tommy John surgery over the season. He is having such an incredible season offensively that it is hard to imagine he could unlock another level when he takes the mound next season.
With outrageous numbers, Ohtani is trying to win the National League Most Valuable Player as a full-time designated hitter, which has never been done before.
“He’s one of one,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “A unicorn.”
The two-way star began his throwing progression with soft tosses from no more than 30 feet away in late March. He has progressed to throwing from 150 feet at 85 percent intensity. The next step is for him to begin throwing four or five days a week. Right now, he is at three.
The Dodgers are planning for Ohtani to begin throwing off a mound by September. According to ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez, the hope is Ohtani can briefly face hitters in some capacity ahead of the playoffs, be it through live batting practice or in a one- to two-inning simulated game, before shutting it down and restarting in the offseason.
Los Angeles general manager Brandon Gomes doesn’t believe Ohtani’s offense will suffer when he returns to the mound and even if it does, it’s still MVP-worthy.
“His ability to do both brings exponential value,” Gomes said. “So let’s just say the offensive side takes a small step back — that’s still so valuable, that he can do both. Oh, and by the way, if his offense takes a step back, it’s still MVP-caliber offense. Yes, he’s had an amazing season. But the ability to do both is somehow still completely underappreciated.”
Ohtani has approached his rehab with intensity every day. Every little detail matters.
“That’s what makes him great,” Albert said. “Shohei is, if not one of, the best to ever do it. Him coming back successfully, possibly better than he was before, is not far-fetched.”
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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