Ohtani Throws Off Mound Post-Surgery; Dodgers Say He Won’t Pitch in 2024

On Friday night, Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani made headlines by joining the exclusive 40-40 club. Ohtani marked this monumental achievement with an electrifying performance that was anything but ordinary. He swiped his 40th base in the fourth inning of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays, then capped the evening with a spectacular walk-off grand slam, which was also his 40th home run of the season. This remarkable feat makes Ohtani the sixth player in history to achieve a 40-40 season, and he did it in just 129 games, setting a record for the fastest time to reach this milestone.

The following day, Ohtani reached another important milestone, though not quite as historic as entering the 40-40 club. He threw off a mound for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last September. The session was light, involving just ten pitches in the bullpen, which is standard for someone taking their first throw off a mound after surgery. Despite the limited number of pitches, this marks a crucial step in Ohtani’s rehabilitation process.

The Dodgers have stated clearly that Ohtani will not be pitching at all this season, and considering the timeline, their caution seems justified. With under six weeks remaining in the season, he faces a challenging rehabilitation process that includes facing hitters and regaining his pitching expertise. Even the possibility of him returning as a one-inning reliever in the postseason appears unlikely. While it’s important not to rule anything out completely, Ohtani returning to pitch in games during 2024 seems improbable.

Fortunately, as a hitter, Ohtani is thriving. He added his 41st home run of the season on Saturday, boasting an impressive batting line of .294/.379/.619. Ohtani currently leads the National League with 41 home runs and 99 RBIs. He trails Marcell Ozuna by only 13 points in the race for the league’s batting title. With five weeks left in the season, the possibility of a Triple Crown is certainly within reach for the exceptional player.

The Dodgers, fresh off a sluggish July start, have found their rhythm in August, posting a record of 14-7. They are riding a wave of success, having won 11 of their last 15 games. As it stands, they hold the best record in baseball at 77-53 and maintain a comfortable three-game lead over the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League West standings.