It looks like Shohei Ohtani is finally getting into the groove as a two-way player. And it’s undoubtedly encouraging for the Dodgers, particularly during a crisis when injuries have plagued their pitching lineup. The Dodgers won the World Series, so it didn’t cost them much that Ohtani didn’t pitch because of the UCL injury, but it seemed like something was missing. And now, a massive update about Ohtani is coming from the center. Any guesses what it might be about?

Well, Shohei Ohtani’s return to pitching comes as a breath of relief for the Dodgers and it seems closer than expected. After the injury in August 2023, he stopped pitching and played as a batter. Recovering from the Tommy John surgery, Ohtani has amped up his rehab work—he has thrown 50 pitches during the bullpen session, which was an increase from what had been a max of 35.

Well, it was needed, though. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ injury concern worsened with Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow getting sidelined due to left and right shoulder inflammation. While this casts a dark shadow above them, according to Bill Plunkett, “Dodgers Shohei Ohtani increased his work in his weekly bullpen session today. 50 pitches, split 25-25 in an up-down. Most he has thrown in his TJ recovery. Still hasn’t thrown any breaking pitches but must be close to throwing to hitters.”

It feels like a massive boost for the Dodgers, although they don’t seem to be in a hurry as they maintain a cautious stance. Although neither there’s been a set time for his pitching return nor his ability to throw sliders and curveballs determined, the increase in pitching numbers certainly gives a hint of a massive comeback as a two-way player, once again, right? 

It seems like the Los Angeles Dodgers are putting every right step forward, and once he is healthy and fully active, they may gradually increase his workload, velocity, and also pitch mix. As of now. Shohei Ohtani is doing great, as he has already posted 16 home runs, the highest to date, with 29 RBIs, at an average of .309 with a .408 OBP and a 1.082 OPS.

Ohtani gets a little bit of surprise amid visible developments

During the Saturday Freeway Series battle between the Dodgers and Angels, Shohei Ohtani got a little surprise that he might not have expected. Kenley Jansen, a former Dodgers player, in his ninth inning did something unique that startled Ohtani. It was Ohtani at second base and Mookie Betts at the plate when Jansen assumed, uttering few words looking at him, “I’m balking you to third base.”

While the Angels managed to concede a victory against the Dodgers, 11-9, this move surprised everyone. The main reason was that Jansen didn’t want Ohtani to give any signal to Betts about where the catcher, Logan O’Hoppe, was trying to set himself up. “With Mookie hitting and Shohei at second, I thought it was best for him to be at third. I didn’t want him seeing any of the locations where Logan is sitting. So that was definitely the plan there.”

However, the balk is still a complex rule in baseball. It can, though, help Shohei Ohtani once he starts pitching fully. It would keep him in check by limiting his ability to fake any pitch, even while making a pick-off throw to one of the bases. But more importantly, it can act as a great way to prevent stealing signs and also benefit him in striking out batters much more easily.

Not to forget that glimpses of Ohtani pitching are positive signs for the Dodgers. And once he gets the green light, the Dodgers will have their 14 arm. The reason is that any player who can pitch and hit simultaneously cannot be counted in the pitcher total. It will also allow the team to use their six-man rotation, which can be a major boost with the season getting more tricky upfront. Furthermore, with Shohei Ohtani leading the major league in terms of home runs and displaying his excellent base-running ability, it’s quite evident that the value of a ”pitcher” will be added alongside his elite status as a base runner and hitter.