'There’s a high probability...': Los Angeles Dodgers' manager drops major update on Shohei Ohtani's pitching return timeline

This week, the Los Angeles Dodgers received a major boost to their starting rotation as their superstar Shohei Ohtani is set to return to the mound for the first time since September 2023. Ohtani had injured his elbow which was then followed by a Tommy John surgery, which required him to rehab for over a year.

When will Shohei Ohtani make his return to the mound for Los Angeles Dodgers?

On Sunday, it was the Athletic's Fabian Ardaya who confirmed the reports, citing manager Dave Roberts, who said that there is a high possibility that Ohtani starts an MLB game this week, most likely against the San Diego Padres.

I don’t know which day he’s going to open for us, but there’s a high probability he’s going to open for us in the coming days, Roberts said.

Ohtani's return comes as a blessing in disguise for the Dodgers given that it will be his first time on the mound for the Dodgers ever since he signed a whopping $700 million contract. The LA Dodgers are navigating through injuries struck to their pitchers and if Ohtani can find a way to produce on both ends of the plate, then the Dodgers are in for a treat.

Dave Roberts showed his excitement for Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound

Before signing a massive contract with the LA Dodgers, Shohei Ohtani had spent six years in the MLB playing for the Los Angeles Angels. There, he went 38-19 with a 3.01 earned-run average over his 86 starts. His best season was back in 2022, when he posted 15-9 record, a 2.33 earned-run average and 219 strikeouts over 166 innings.

Ahead of the Sunday's camp, Dave Roberts showed his excitement of Shohei Ohtani's return to the mound.

He’s getting very eager, getting very excited, Roberts said. I think that there’s a point where, in hearing from Shohei, that the effort that it takes to throw lives and things like that, [rather] than to play a game, then let’s use those bullets in a game. He’s getting very excited.

The last time Shohei Ohtani was on the mound, he was getting the hitters uncomfortable with his fastball, which was in the high 90s. He had a great sinker which was in the mid-90s. Some of his other pitches include his slider, which is at 8r4-90 mph, cutter and curveball. Not just this, his go to off-speed is the splitter which he throws at 88-89 mph with a downward dip. It generated a .138 wOBA and 57% whiff rate in 2023.