Shohei Ohtani’s Pitching Comeback Inches Closer as He Faces Hitters for First Time Since Surgery

Shohei Ohtani’s long-awaited return to the pitcher’s mound is finally within reach. The global baseball icon and three-time MVP took a major step forward in his recovery from elbow surgery last Sunday, facing live hitters for the first time in nearly two years at Citi Field.

Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched in a Major League game since August 2023, threw 22 pitches during a simulated game ahead of the Dodgers’ matchup against the New York Mets. The session featured his full arsenal—fastballs, cutters, and sinkers—with his velocity topping out at 97 mph.

“It was nice to feel like a pitcher again,” Ohtani said through his interpreter, reflecting on the outing. “I remembered the good memories of being on the mound.”

Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior echoed the optimism. “He looked healthy. The pitch movement was good, and his endurance held up,” Prior noted.

While Dodgers fans are eager to see Ohtani resume his role as a two-way superstar, the team is taking a measured approach. Manager Dave Roberts confirmed that the earliest Ohtani might return to pitching in live MLB action would be after the All-Star break in mid-July, citing the natural buildup needed to stretch a pitcher to game-ready innings.

But Ohtani’s path to the mound is about more than just rehab timelines—it’s about precision. As perhaps the most valuable asset in baseball, the Dodgers are reportedly using a combination of biometric technology, custom-designed gear, and player-driven feedback to guide his comeback.

Ohtani’s jet black compression sleeve, custom-made by Japanese brand CW-X, has been a constant in his appearances. Though he did not wear it while pitching Sunday, signs suggest the Dodgers are monitoring him closely with performance tech like the Whoop device, which he has publicly endorsed for optimizing sleep and recovery.

Pitching coach Mark Prior admitted that while there’s data being collected, the club also leans heavily on Ohtani’s internal feedback. “He understands his body,” Prior said, noting the blend of subjective and objective inputs in the decision-making process.

Ohtani’s return to pitching comes as he continues to dominate at the plate. He hit his 18th home run of the season the same night as his simulated game and has since blasted two more, bringing his season total to 20—tied for the league lead with Aaron Judge and Kyle Schwarber.

For a player who redefined what’s possible in modern baseball, the comeback carries massive significance. Not only is Ohtani attempting to resume his status as the game’s only full-time two-way player, but he’s also carrying the hopes of a franchise that made a historic financial and cultural investment in him.

As the Dodgers navigate this delicate phase, Ohtani’s raised arm—after every home run, every pitch—is more than a gesture. It’s a signal that his two-way legend is far from finished.