
Ohtani’s Return to Pitching Could Come in May for World Series Champion Dodgers
By [Your Name] | February 5, 2025
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers could see their two-way superstar, Shohei Ohtani, return to the mound as early as May, marking a pivotal moment for the defending World Series champions. Ohtani, who signed a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract with the Dodgers last offseason, has been recovering from a second elbow surgery that kept him from pitching since late 2023.
While Ohtani continued to serve as a designated hitter in 2024, his return to the mound is a highly anticipated event, not just for the Dodgers but for Major League Baseball as a whole. If everything goes according to plan, Ohtani’s return in May could provide a significant boost to the Dodgers’ already formidable roster.
A Careful Recovery Process
Ohtani underwent his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023, just before entering free agency. While the surgery sidelined him from pitching in 2024, the Dodgers remained confident in his ability to return as a two-way player in 2025. Throughout last season, Ohtani continued to dominate offensively, finishing with a .309 batting average, 40 home runs, and 105 RBIs.
The Dodgers’ medical and coaching staff have taken a conservative approach to his recovery. During the 2024 offseason, Ohtani gradually increased his throwing program, progressing from light tossing to bullpen sessions. By spring training, reports indicated that he was throwing comfortably at around 85–90% effort.
“Everything is progressing as expected,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in a recent interview. “Shohei is feeling good, and we’re optimistic that he’ll be able to return to the mound in May. We’re going to take it step by step and make sure he’s 100% before he starts facing hitters in live games.”
What Ohtani’s Return Means for the Dodgers
The Dodgers enter the 2025 season as the reigning World Series champions, having defeated the Baltimore Orioles in a thrilling six-game series last October. Even without Ohtani pitching in 2024, Los Angeles boasted one of the best rotations in baseball, led by Walker Buehler, Tyler Glasnow, Bobby Miller, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
Adding Ohtani back into the mix would make the Dodgers’ rotation even more dominant. Before his injury, Ohtani had established himself as one of the league’s most electric pitchers, posting a 3.14 ERA with 167 strikeouts in 132 innings during his last full season on the mound in 2023.
His presence as a pitcher would also give the Dodgers flexibility in managing their rotation, allowing them to give extra rest to other starters when needed. Given Ohtani’s unparalleled ability to both pitch and hit at an elite level, his return could make the Dodgers an even stronger favorite to repeat as World Series champions.
How Will the Dodgers Use Ohtani on the Mound?
One of the biggest questions surrounding Ohtani’s return is how the Dodgers will utilize him as a pitcher. Before his second Tommy John surgery, he was a full-time member of the starting rotation with the Los Angeles Angels, taking the mound every six days while continuing to serve as the designated hitter on non-pitching days.
The Dodgers, however, may take a more cautious approach. Some reports suggest that Ohtani could initially return as a part-time starter, pitching once every seven to ten days rather than every six. This would allow him more recovery time between starts while ensuring he remains a major force in the Dodgers’ lineup as a hitter.
Another possibility is that Ohtani could be used in shorter outings to ease his workload. He might start games but only pitch four to five innings rather than the traditional six or seven. The Dodgers’ deep bullpen would allow them to absorb those shorter starts without overtaxing the pitching staff.
“We’re going to be flexible with how we bring him back,” Roberts said. “Our priority is keeping Shohei healthy for the long run. Whether he’s pitching every seven days or in shorter outings, we’ll do whatever makes the most sense for him and for the team.”
Ohtani’s Impact on the Game
Ohtani’s return to pitching is significant not only for the Dodgers but for baseball as a whole. Since arriving in MLB in 2018, he has redefined what is possible for a modern-day player, excelling as both an elite hitter and pitcher in a way that hasn’t been seen since Babe Ruth.
His ability to perform at an MVP level in both roles has made him one of the most marketable athletes in sports. Despite not pitching in 2024, he remained one of the biggest attractions in baseball, drawing massive crowds and leading MLB in jersey sales.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred has repeatedly acknowledged Ohtani’s impact on the sport’s global popularity, particularly in Japan, where he remains a national hero. His return to the mound will be one of the most-watched storylines of the 2025 season, as fans across the world eagerly anticipate his next chapter.
What Opposing Teams Are Saying
Opposing teams are already bracing for Ohtani’s return. While they had to deal with his bat in 2024, the prospect of facing him as both a pitcher and a hitter again makes the Dodgers an even more daunting opponent.
“He’s already one of the toughest hitters in the game,” San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt said. “If he’s back to pitching at the level he was before, the Dodgers are going to be even tougher to beat.”
New York Mets ace Kodai Senga, a fellow Japanese star, is looking forward to Ohtani’s return.
“Everyone in Japan and in baseball is excited to see him back on the mound,” Senga said. “He’s such a unique talent, and I have no doubt he’ll be just as dominant as before.”
Key Dates to Watch
While no official date has been set for Ohtani’s return to pitching, May appears to be the target. Here are some key dates that could be worth watching:
- April 1, 2025 – MLB Opening Day. Ohtani will begin the season as the Dodgers’ designated hitter.
- Late April 2025 – Ohtani is expected to face live hitters in simulated games or minor league rehab starts.
- Early-to-mid May 2025 – Possible return to MLB action as a pitcher, depending on how his rehab progresses.
The Dodgers’ schedule in May includes key matchups against division rivals such as the Padres, Giants, and Diamondbacks, along with interleague games against AL powerhouses like the New York Yankees.
A Historic Comeback in the Making?
If Ohtani successfully returns to the mound and continues his two-way dominance, it would mark one of the most remarkable comebacks in baseball history. Very few players have ever returned to elite pitching form after undergoing two Tommy John surgeries, but if anyone can do it, it’s Shohei Ohtani.
His determination, work ethic, and unique skill set have already rewritten the history books. Now, as he prepares to reclaim his status as MLB’s most unique superstar, the entire baseball world is watching.
For the Dodgers, a healthy and dominant Ohtani could be the key to back-to-back championships—a feat not achieved in the National League since the 1975–76 Cincinnati Reds.
- As the countdown to May begins, all eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani, ready to witness yet another chapter in his unprecedented career.