Baseball has always been a game of patience—unless you’re the Los Angeles Dodgers holding your breath over a billion-dollar unicorn with a rocket arm. In a saga that feels part medical drama, part superhero origin story, Shohei Ohtani continues to blur the line between “recovering pitcher” and “offensive demigod.” But just when fans thought they’d seen it all, Ohtani stepped onto the mound—and into his feelings.

Shohei Ohtani has always been known as the 2 way unicorn, but in the past few years, he has been going only one way. While there are not many who can stop his bat, his arm has yet to come into contention. After the 2nd Tommy John, Othani has not pitched in a game, but things are changing, and his way to the mound is becoming clearer.

The past week, Shohei Ohtani was seen throwing from the mound in a live BP session. After the session, he also sat down for an interview and talked about how he felt. “Just really felt good overall, just looking at the overall execution. It was a really good first step, and looking forward to the next one… I haven’t thrown (to hitters) in a while, so it was nice to be able to feel like I was a pitcher.”

Ohtani’s pitching routine is now a carefully choreographed weekly ritual of precision and promise. He’s throwing live BPs once a week, gradually sharpening his command and testing his limits. His velocity is already flirting with 97 mph, which he hilariously insists is “unintentional.” With each session, he’s inching closer to reclaiming his role as baseball’s rarest double threat.

Once Ohtani returns to the mound full-time, the Los Angeles Dodgers might transform from contenders to inevitabilities. His presence could plug the gaping hole in a rotation plagued by injuries. Add his arm to an already ferocious lineup, and October suddenly feels scripted. A healthy, two-way Ohtani may be the secret to back-to-back rings.

In other words, the Dodgers aren’t just waiting on a pitcher—they’re waiting on a cheat code. With Ohtani trending upward, L.A.’s October forecast is starting to look unfair. The man who breaks Statcast might soon break playoff dreams, too. Baseball’s most expensive insurance policy is about to start paying dividends—with interest. Buckle up, because the two-way terror is nearly cleared for full takeoff.

Why the Dodgers now desperately need Shohei Ohtani to pitch

They say depth wins championships — the Dodgers must’ve heard “depth” and thought it meant deep in the injured list. While the rest of the league enjoys a functioning pitching staff, Los Angeles is busy assembling a rotation out of bubble wrap and wishful thinking. And somewhere in the middle of this controlled chaos stands Shohei Ohtani, the two-way unicorn now expected to be the team’s one-way miracle.

The Dodgers’ pitching staff is limping through the season, and the cracks are widening fast. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are both shelved with shoulder issues. Rookie Roki Sasaki has struggled, posting a shaky 5.12 ERA in limited starts. Beyond Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the rotation inspires little confidence, and bullpen games are becoming far too common.

Shohei Ohtani’s return to the mound could be the spark this unraveling rotation desperately needs. He posted a 3.14 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings in 2023. Though he’s recovering from his second Tommy John surgery, even 80% of Ohtani could be transformative. His two-way talent isn’t just unique—it’s vital for the Dodgers’ October hopes.

Ohtani brings star power, but more importantly, he brings innings and stability that the Dodgers lack. If he returns by late July, he could make 10–12 starts before the playoffs. That’s enough to settle the rotation and give Yoshinobu Yamamoto the needed support. For a team chasing a title, Ohtani’s arm might be the final, essential piece.

And if Yamamoto is the anchor, Ohtani has to be the sail — no wind, no voyage. The Dodgers didn’t pay $700 million for half a hero; they need the whole myth in motion. With the rotation stitched together like a patchwork quilt, Ohtani’s return isn’t just welcome — it’s non-negotiable. October waits for no one, especially not a team still taping together its starting five. It’s time for the unicorn to lace up and save the circus.