Los Angeles ‘ versatile star Shohei Ohtani is continuing his pitching recovery during games. His most recent appearance was against the Houston Astros at Stadium on Saturday night, where he pitched two innings—the longest outing of his rehab so far this season. Ohtani delivered 31 pitches, striking out 21 batters, allowing just one single before inducing a double play and facing only the minimum six batters over two innings. His fastball was impressively strong, ranging from 98 to 100 mph, and his off-speed pitches, particularly his effective cutter, were exceptional.
Ohtani is in the process of recovering from major elbow surgery performed in September 2023. Unlike other pitchers in similar rehab stages who pitch in the minor leagues, Ohtani is managing dual rehab roles—he’s pitching while also returning as a hitter, addressing the ’ need for his offensive prowess. This outing marked his fourth mound appearance during the rehab, with a total of six innings pitched to date, boasting a 1.50 ERA, 0.83 WHIP, and six strikeouts per walk.
The three-time MVP was a regular starter in 2023, finishing the season with a 10-5 record, a 3.14 ERA, and 132 innings pitched against the Los Angeles Angels.
Fan Take: Shohei Ohtani’s progress is thrilling for baseball fans because it shows he’s on track to return as the rare two-way player who excels both pitching and hitting. His comeback could redefine player roles and bring an exhilarating dynamic back to the sport that fans eagerly crave.
