*This content was translated by AI.
Shohei Ohtani (32, LA Dodgers), who has focused solely on hitting due to a knee injury, is finally returning to the mound. His first game appearance schedule after being sidelined for seven weeks has been set again.
The official website of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States, MLB.com, reported on the 24th (Korean time) that "Ohtani has entered the final stage to return to pitching approximately seven weeks after his last appearance."
It further reported that "there is a very high possibility that Ohtani will take the starting mound during the nine-game home series (the 2nd–10) at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, early next month."
Ohtani has recorded impressive statistics as a pitcher in the first half of this season: 8 wins and 2 losses with an ERA of 1.79, 95 strikeouts over 14 starts spanning a total of 85⅔ innings.
However, an injury held him back. Ohtani stopped pitching after the game against the San Diego Padres on the 4th due to persistent left knee pain. Instead, he has continued to appear in games solely as a designated hitter.
And now, he is set to return to the mound.
Recently, Ohtani has been improving his condition through bullpen throws while undergoing treatment and rehabilitation simultaneously.
Furthermore, on the 23rd, just before the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, he successfully completed live pitching with a batter in the box for the first time in 50 days.
Dave Roberts, the Dodgers' manager, hinted that his return is imminent, stating, "If it's up to Ohtani himself, he could be ready to play within a few days."
Ohtani is scheduled to throw additional bullpen sessions during the three-game away series against the Atlanta Braves starting on the 26th.
If no abnormalities are detected during this process, the plan is to return directly to the MLB mound without going through minor league rehabilitation appearances.
The Dodgers will begin their nine-game home series starting on the 2nd of next month, facing the St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Nationals, and Cincinnati Reds in that order.
For now, during the early stages of his return, the plan is to manage innings meticulously rather than overexerting himself as before.
In his comeback game, he is expected to pitch a short stint of 1–2 innings and gradually increase his pitch count.
If Ohtani comes off the mound early, Eric Lauer appears poised to back him up.
With the September expanded roster in effect, if Ohtani successfully returns to the mound, the Dodgers' superlative starting rotation is expected to become a reality once again as they approach the postseason.
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*This content was translated by AI.
