Huh? Ohtani only came out 148km → Dozens of people were called to the first bullpen pitcher after surgery
Feb 16, 2025
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MLB.COM, the official website of Major League Baseball, showed important progress in Otani's return to pitching and hitting, playing his first bullpen session in camp on the 16th (Korea time)' reported.
Ohtani had elbow surgery in the second half of 2023. He only played as a batter last year. This season, he announced that he would resume his pitching and hitting career.
Ohtani has already raised expectations by throwing the ball from the 11th, the first day of the spring camp. This time, it is meaningful because he pitched under conditions similar to the actual game, not just catch ball.
Dodgers manager David Roberts said, `The ball came out really well. Ohtani seems quite satisfied. The command was also good. It must have been a really positive day for Ohtani in my view,' he said with joy.
According to MLB.COM, Ohtani threw 14 pitches, including two-seam and four-seam fastballs. Arrests ranged from 92 miles to 94 miles (148 to 151 kilometers). Ohtani throws more than 100 miles (about 160 kilometers) when he throws all his strength, but he is still in the recovery stage.
MLB.COM said 'Otani gathered a large crowd. Dozens of media watched Ohtani. I've seen scenes that many people have been waiting for since the Dodgers camp began.
Ohtani is expected to be on the mound again in the Major League in May.
MLB.COM said 'Otani frequently communicated with the coaching staff while throwing the ball. At the end of the camp, live pitching is expected to be possible. I won't be playing in an exhibition game. The Dodgers want to keep Ohtani in the lineup as a designated hitter as much as possible.
Ohtani plans to restore his sense of play through Dodgers' own simulation games, not exhibition games or minor league rehabilitation games.
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Pryor said, `We have a lot of simulation programs running for rehabilitation players. It will be some version of it. I don't know exactly yet. It is up in the air whether the players will be on the bench in away games or whether they will be able to bring in minor league hitters and deal with them."
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Ohtani devoted himself to hitters in 2024 and recorded 54 home runs and 50 steals with a batting average of 310, an on-base percentage of 390, and a slugging percentage of 646. As a pitcher in 2023, he went 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA in 23 games and 132 innings. He has 38 wins and 19 losses with a 3.01 ERA in 86 games in the Major League.
MLB.COM questioned whether Ohtani could perform at an elite level as both a pitcher and a batter as he used to.
MLB.COM said 'It is unclear whether Otani will be able to perform at an elite level by pitching and hitting as in the past. The 2023 surgery was the second elbow surgery. He also had Tommy John surgery in 2018. Like Walker Buehler, who underwent Tommy John surgery twice, even if he becomes fully healthy, it may take a considerable amount of time to restore his normal performance.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
