Shohei Ohtani has made tremendous progress in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and is on track to pitch again next season.
By early September, Ohtani could start throwing off a mound again. Ahead of the playoffs, the Los Angeles Dodgers hope he can briefly face hitters in some capacity, be it through live batting practice or in a one- to two-inning simulated game, before shutting it down and restarting in the offseason.
Ohtani is on track to become the first full-time DH to win an MVP. The sixth 40-40 season in baseball history seems likely.
Ohtani has been so good at the plate, there has been some discussion of whether it is worthwhile for him to return to pitching.
\"His ability to do both brings exponential value,\" general manager Brandon Gomes argued. \"So let\'s just say the offensive side takes a small step back -- that\'s still so valuable, that he can do both. Oh, and by the way, if his offense takes a step back, it\'s still MVP-caliber offense. Yes, he\'s had an amazing season. But the ability to do both is somehow still completely underappreciated.\"
\"If he gets back to even 90% of the version that he was beforehand,\" Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior said, \"it\'s only a win for us.\"