The Los Angeles Dodgers have laid out their strategy for Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound as he transitions back from his stint in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).
During the WBC, Ohtani was a force at the plate, exclusively serving as the designated hitter. He played a pivotal role in propelling Japan into the knockout stages, though they ultimately fell to Venezuela.
Now back at Camelback Ranch, Ohtani is gearing up for the MLB season, where he’ll resume his dual role as both a pitcher and a hitter. This dual responsibility means a careful approach to his pitching workload.
Manager Dave Roberts has outlined a plan to ease Ohtani into the season, starting him off with three to four innings as an extended opener. If Ohtani adapts well, fans can expect him to gradually take on a more traditional starting pitcher role, stretching to six or seven innings as the season progresses.
Roberts also mentioned that Ohtani is set for a bullpen session, which could lead to a Spring Training start if all goes well.
During his time with Team Japan, Ohtani continued his pitching regimen despite not appearing in games. The Dodgers’ pitching staff provided him with a detailed plan to ensure his readiness.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior shared insights into Ohtani’s preparation: “We had a meeting before he left to outline some general parameters. He’s been meeting those goals.
Through Trackman reports, we’ve monitored his pitch count, velocity, and movement. We’ve even received cellphone videos from Will Ireton and Yosuke Nakajima, who were with him in Tokyo.”
Despite not participating in Cactus League games, Ohtani has maintained his intensity, showing mid-90s velocity. “Everything is on track from where he left off,” Prior added. “We’ve achieved the best possible outcome given the circumstances.”
Barring any setbacks, Ohtani is poised to join the Dodgers’ opening rotation, ready to embark on what could be a Cy Young-worthy campaign.