Dodgers News: Shohei Ohtani Provides Update on Throwing Program

Maren Angus-Coombs | Apr 12, 2024

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in September, Los Angeles Dodgers two-way star Shohei Ohtani is still far from pitching in a game for his new team.

The team doesn't expect him to debut on the mound until 2025. However, he began his throwing program a couple of weeks ago with sessions of 50 throws on flat ground every other day.

Ohtani addressed his throwing program on Monday before the Dodgers played the Minnesota Twins saying he is “little by little increasing the intensity."

“It’s a small step,” Ohtani said. “But … I feel it’s progressing well.”

During the same media availability, Ohtani answered questions about the increasing number of high-profile pitching injuries that have plagued the league this season.

In 24 hours, beginning last Saturday, the Cleveland Guardians announced their ace and former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber would undergo season-ending elbow reconstruction surgery forcing him to miss most of 2025. Next up was reliever Jonathan Loaisiga of the New York Yankees. He has a torn UCL and will undergo surgery, missing the rest of the season.

Lastly, it was the Atlanta Braves turn. Last year's league leader with 20 wins, Spencer Strider, has a sprained UCL and underwent further testing with Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas, on Monday.

The Miami Marlins announced prized prospect Eury Pérez needs to undergo Tommy John surgery a couple of days before the chaotic 24 hours of the three devastating blows to the Guardians, the Yankees, and the Braves.

Ohtani said that modern-day pitchers have increased physical demands and “there aren’t many situations in which you throw lightly, even as a starting pitcher.”

The obsession with velocity and spin combined with the pitch clock has been a point of emphasis across the league. Ohtani reiterated that as well.

“With the pitch clock, without question, I think the physical burdens are increasing,” he added.