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"Dodgers superstar Ohtani has once again become one of the most dominant hitters of the season, and he has been doing everything while rehabilitating his right elbow after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in 2023. Ohtani has been pitching ever since he returned from Seoul in late March. He has advanced to throw from 60 feet (about 18.3 meters) out," said Juan Torivio.
"I usually throw about 60 to 70 pitches," Ohtani's interpreter said. "I just keep increasing the distance and the pitch and see where it goes. I'm not sure how far I can go, but that's progress."
Ohtani, who made his big league debut as a LA Angels player in 2018, took the mound as a starting pitcher in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds in August last year. However, he felt pain in his elbow while pitching, so he left the mound early, and was diagnosed with a ruptured ligament in his right elbow according to MRI.스포츠토토사이트
Ohtani was ultimately ruled out for the season as a pitcher. Ohtani played as a batter only afterwards, but was removed from the starting lineup again due to a lateral injury, and eventually decided on a second Tommy John surgery, ending the season earlier than others.
Despite being ruled out early in the season, Ohtani had his best season last year. He had 10 wins and 5 losses, an earned run average of 3.14, and a batting average of 0.304 with 44 homers, 95 RBIs, 102 runs scored and 20 stolen bases with an OPS of 1.066, securing once again the unanimous MVP title of the American League.
After the end of the last season, Ohtani became the first free agent after joining the Major League. He was unable to play as a pitcher due to Tommy John surgery, but he signed a 700 million-dollar contract with the Dodgers, the largest in the world's professional sports history.
Currently, Ohtani is displaying the best performance as a batter in this season. In the 2024 season, Ohtani hit .336 with 13 homers, 35 RBIs, 40 runs scored with 13 steals, and 1.024 OPS in 53 games. "Despite being a designated hitter in full time, he is one of the leading candidates for the third MVP award," MLB.com said.
Ohtani, who has been showing excellent performance as a designated hitter, is aiming to return as a pitcher by playing catch ball in the pre-game warm-up stage. He started throwing the ball in earnest from late March, and reportedly threw it from a distance of up to 25 meters.
Ohtani's distance has shortened, but he seems to have advanced to the stage where he can pitch more technically. MLBcom explained, "It's clear how much he enjoys pitching. And as he keeps improving, he's getting closer and closer to that goal." Ohtani also told MLB.com , "When every starting pitcher starts, I feel a little nervous. That's what happens, but now I'm focusing on improving day by day."
Although he has recently stepped up to the stage where he can throw balls, Ohtani will return to the mound as a pitcher only in 2025. "Otani is showing good growth, but even if he starts the post season, he will not be able to take the mound this season," MLBcom added.