This season started with Dodgers fans hoping that Shohei Ohtani would return to the mound. But given the timeline and the nature of his second elbow procedure, the Dodgers are being extra cautious. It’s all about the long-term investment now — making sure he returns at full strength and stays healthy for the long haul. But when’s the return?

Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts’ latest update might not sit well with the fans.

Well, the truth bomb was dropped when Roberts spoke with MLB presenter Jim Rome on Thursday. Initially, he shared some encouraging signs about Shohei Ohtani’s recovery — everything seemed to be progressing well overall. Roberts mentioned that Ohtani is right on schedule, hitting and rehabbing without setbacks. The recent update?

“Time of return, we’re still a couple of months away,” mentioned Dave Roberts on The Jim Rome Show.

The negative nugget at the end: Roberts hinted that Ohtani still won’t be throwing for another couple of months, which means the return of the two-way star is still a long way off. So yes, fans need to wait a little more to see their star showing his two-way excellence.

You get the sense the Dodgers are keeping the long game in mind, right? And there are reasons why the team is playing it safe with Shohei Ohtani.

Well, Shohei Ohtani’s UCL surgery in 2023 set him on a timeline that could’ve pointed to an early 2025 return to pitching. But the Dodgers aren’t in any rush — and understandably so. They want him back in his full form, even if that takes a few extra months, especially with the 10-year, $700 million commitment. Their focus is to ensure he’s 100% healthy for the postseason, and if that means holding off until late August to start throwing off a mound in a game, so be it. A smart move, it seems!

But hitting-wise? It’s not just holding up — it’s thriving.

There’s no dearth of hitting for Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers might be happy with what he is showing with his bat. A .288 average with six home runs in 20 games. That’s elite production, especially for someone in a recovery phase. That’s another reason why the team would not risk that offensive output just to speed up the pitching timeline. So, is he fit to lead the hitting?

Well, remember the Dodgers’ 5-3 victory over the Rockies this week? Ohtani showed in the game what he is capable of. A 3-for-5 outing with a homer, three runs scored, and RBIs, all topped off with a 112 MPH missile off the bat. That’s classic Ohtani — a perfect blend of finesse and raw power. And now, he’s nearing the batting average of .296!

In the Dodgers’ Monday victory against the Rockies, it was Shotime’s 33rd homer at 112+ MPH since early 2023. Plus, how can we forget his 448-foot leadoff home run against Colorado on Wednesday night? This shows that Ohtani is operating on a completely different level, and it’s not just about talent; it’s the way he delivers in high-pressure, high-leverage spots that makes him invaluable. For the team, why compromise on these hitting skills by rushing him to the mound?

Well, Roberts knows how to play the game!

The other side of the story? He’s doing all this while still recovering from surgery. Imagine what it’s going to look like when he’s fully back on the mound, too. Imagine Ohtani smashing all season at the plate, and then suddenly, he’s coming out of the bullpen in October, throwing 100 mph? Probably a postseason-only dream, but what a wild-card weapon that would be!