Shohei Ohtani’s pitching return timeline muddled as Dodgers halt throwing progression

Despite surgery on a torn labrum last year, Shohei Ohtani was quick to make it clear to Dodgers fans that we wouldn't have to worry about his performance at the plate in 2025. In his first at-bat of spring training — against his former team — he battled new Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi to a 3-2 count and then smacked a fastball up in the zone clear over the left field wall. He's also collected at least one hit in the three games he's appeared in since.

But even considering what Ohtani was able to do as just a hitter last season, the big question this season is what he'll be able to do when he gets back onto the mound.

He's thrown four bullpens in spring training that started to mix in more pitches and saw increases on his velocity, but he has yet to face live hitters. That last bullpen took place on Feb. 25, but he hasn't thrown since. Dave Roberts made it seem like he won't throw again before the Dodgers go to Tokyo to give him "a little respite" and allow him to focus on hitting ahead of that series.

There's been a loose timeline to get him back into games as a pitcher in May, but the stalling could push him back a little further.

Dodgers press pause on Shohei Ohtani's return to pitching, calling his May return into question

Ohtani's rehab as a pitcher is a completely unique process because the Dodgers can't just send him to the minors for a rehab assignment without impacting the lineup dramatically. Instead, the plan is for him to face his own teammates in sim games ahead of home games. It's not going to be easy, but then again, Ohtani's entire mission as a two-way player necessitates that kind of double workload.

It's better that the Dodgers take their time here, and they can certainly afford to give him a break with how many options they already have for the rotation. Tony Gonsolin, Dustin May, and Bobby Miller are the likeliest options to get the last spot in the rotation. The Dodgers have decided on a traditional five-man, but they could easily go to six before Ohtani is back to full health.

Despite saying that he would be willing to become a full-time DH indefinitely if the Dodgers asked him to, it's pretty clear that everyone wants to get him back on the mound. Even if that takes a little while longer than originally thought, the waiting should be worth it.