Los Angeles Dodgers fans have been eagerly awaiting news on Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound, and manager Dave Roberts recently provided a significant update following an eye-opening revelation about the two-way superstar’s pitching rehabilitation. Ohtani, who has been limited to designated hitter duties since undergoing elbow surgery in September 2023, is making steady progress, but his journey back to pitching remains a cautious and complex process. Roberts’ latest comments, combined with Ohtani’s own insights, have sparked both optimism and intrigue among the Dodgers faithful as the 2025 season unfolds.

Ohtani’s Rehabilitation Journey

Shohei Ohtani, the reigning National League MVP and a three-time MVP award winner, has not pitched in an MLB game since August 23, 2023, when he was with the Los Angeles Angels. Following a torn UCL, Ohtani underwent a hybrid Tommy John surgery in September 2023, followed by arthroscopic surgery on his non-throwing shoulder in November 2024 to repair a labrum tear sustained during the 2024 World Series. These procedures have delayed his return to pitching, with the Dodgers taking a meticulous approach to ensure his long-term health as both a pitcher and hitter.

Ohtani’s rehabilitation has been marked by incremental milestones. He resumed bullpen sessions in early 2025, but the Dodgers paused his throwing program in March to prioritize his hitting as he prepared for the season-opening Tokyo Series against the Chicago Cubs. This decision raised eyebrows, with Ohtani revealing in April that he was limited to throwing fastballs during his bullpen sessions, an admission that sparked concern among fans about the pace of his recovery.

However, Roberts has since clarified that Ohtani is in a “good place” and progressing well. On May 3, 2025, Ohtani threw a 35-pitch bullpen session, incorporating his full pitch mix, including four-seam and two-seam fastballs and his splitter, with velocities reaching an “easy” 92-93 mph. Roberts noted that Ohtani is “getting sharper” and that the next steps include facing hitters in simulated games, though no specific timeline was provided.

Roberts’ Eye-Opening Update

In an interview with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal on May 3, 2025, Roberts provided an encouraging yet cautious update on Ohtani’s pitching progression. “He threw a 35-pitch bullpen today. Hopefully at some point in time we’ll get him to face some hitters, and do some simulated games,” Roberts said. He emphasized that Ohtani’s recovery is a “long-term play” for both the player’s well-being and the team’s postseason aspirations, underscoring the Dodgers’ commitment to ensuring Ohtani is “firing on all cylinders” by October.

Roberts also addressed Ohtani’s earlier revelation about being limited to fastballs, clarifying that this was a deliberate part of the rehabilitation process. “He’s still playing. It was a collective decision,” Roberts said, noting that Ohtani’s entire pitch mix would be available before he faces hitters. This clarification alleviated concerns that Ohtani’s recovery had hit a setback, with Roberts affirming that the two-way star is “actually in a good place” mentally and physically.

The Dodgers’ cautious approach is further informed by Ohtani’s history of injuries. Having undergone two major UCL surgeries since 2018, Ohtani’s second elbow operation has made him “feel a little more human,” according to Roberts, who highlighted the importance of building a strong foundation for Ohtani’s long-term pitching career.

Fan Reactions and Expectations

The Dodgers’ 2025 season has been a rollercoaster, with the team starting 14-6 but recently losing three games in a row, including two to the Washington Nationals. Ohtani’s absence from the mound has been felt, as the team’s pitching staff has faced challenges, with injuries to key players like Blake Snell and Freddie Freeman. Fans have taken to X to express their anticipation for Ohtani’s return, with posts reflecting both excitement and impatience. One user wrote, “Shohei throwing 35 pitches is huge, but we need him on the mound ASAP!” while another cautioned, “Take your time, Sho. We need you for October.”

Ohtani’s offensive contributions have kept the Dodgers competitive, with the 30-year-old batting .288 with six home runs, eight RBIs, and five stolen bases through the early part of the 2025 season. He is on pace for another 40-homer, 40-steal season, following his historic 50-homer, 50-steal campaign in 2024 that culminated in a World Series title. However, the prospect of Ohtani returning as a pitcher—where he posted a 3.01 career ERA with 608 strikeouts in 481.2 innings—has fans dreaming of an even more dominant Dodgers squad.

Challenges and Timeline

Despite the optimism, Roberts has tempered expectations about an imminent return. In April, he indicated that Ohtani was “still a couple months away” from pitching in a major league game, a timeline that aligns with his earlier comments at the Dodgers’ FanFest in February, where he suggested May as a potential target. However, recent updates suggest that Ohtani’s return may be pushed to June or later, as the Dodgers prioritize his full recovery over a rushed debut.

The Dodgers’ decision to “slow-play” Ohtani’s pitching progression has been driven by the need to manage his workload as a designated hitter. General manager Brandon Gomes emphasized that Ohtani cannot be sent on a minor league rehab assignment without losing his bat from the lineup, necessitating a unique approach to his buildup. “He can’t just go out on a rehab assignment. We would lose our DH,” Gomes said. This complexity has led to a fluid timeline, with Roberts admitting, “We just don’t know” when Ohtani will be ready.

Ohtani himself has acknowledged the challenges of balancing his hitting and pitching duties. “I wanted to prioritize the hitting aspect as we’re getting into the season, to get a little breather mentally and physically on the pitching side of things,” he said through his interpreter before the Tokyo Series. This strategic pause has allowed Ohtani to excel at the plate while gradually ramping up his pitching program.

The Road Ahead

The Dodgers remain championship favorites in 2025, bolstered by a star-studded rotation that includes Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki, despite injuries to Snell and Clayton Kershaw. Ohtani’s eventual return to the mound could elevate the team to unprecedented heights, with Roberts expressing confidence that Ohtani will pitch “this year and into the postseason.”

For now, Ohtani’s next steps include more bullpen sessions and, eventually, facing hitters in controlled settings. Roberts’ four-word message after Ohtani’s latest bullpen—“It’s a ways off”—reflects the patience required, but his optimism about Ohtani’s progress has kept hope alive. Posts on X from Dodgers Nation and other sources confirm that Ohtani’s recent 31-pitch and 35-pitch bullpens were “solid,” with no impact from the team’s other pitching injuries, further fueling anticipation.

Conclusion

Shohei Ohtani’s journey back to the mound is a testament to his resilience and the Dodgers’ careful stewardship of their two-way superstar. Dave Roberts’ latest update, coupled with Ohtani’s eye-opening revelation about his fastball-only bullpens, has provided clarity on the challenges and progress of his rehabilitation. While fans may have to wait a few more months to see Ohtani pitch in Dodger Blue, his steady improvement and unwavering commitment to returning as a two-way player signal a thrilling future for the defending World Series champions. As the 2025 season progresses, all eyes will remain on Ohtani, whose return to the mound could redefine the Dodgers’ dominance and cement his legacy as one of baseball’s greatest talents.