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Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Takes Massive Step in Pitching Return

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By TJ French | Last updated May 23, 2025 6:52 PM ET

As the Los Angeles Dodgers struggle with many injuries to their pitching staff, two-way star Shohei Ohtani is starting to progress in his rehab in hopes of a return to the mound this summer.

Ohtani is starting to throw off a mound and has most recently begun throwing off-speed pitches and working on his slider.

The Dodgers are in a position where they could use Ohtani's return to the rotation as their star pitchers have all been dealing with shoulder problems.

Mark Prior, Dodgers pitching coach, recently went on the show "Dodgers territory" and exclaimed that it is not unreasonable to see Ohtani facing hitters as early as June.

Prior indicated on the show that he is getting close, especially as his bullpens ramp up. However, with such a unique player like Ohtani, every day is a new journey. The Dodgers' pitching coach brought up the point that there are days when he is fresh off a big game at the plate, and it is harder for him to get into that same throwing rhythm because of exhaustion.

It has since been revealed per multiple reports that Ohtani will begin to face live hitters as early as tomorrow. This is his biggest progression to returning to the mound for his highly anticipated 2025 pitching debut.

Sounds like Shohei Ohtani is facing hitters tomorrow for the first time since his second elbow ligament reconstruction. The biggest progression yet in his rehab.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) May 23, 2025

As for now, the Dodgers will have to weather the storm of their pitching staff, and hope that the later summer months will be more forgiving with pitching injuries.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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