When will Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani return to mound? Here's what insiders revealed

The Los Angeles Dodgers are off to a strong 11-5 start to their 2025 MLB campaign, and the team could be bolstered even further in the coming months with Shohei Ohtani inching closer to a return to pitching duties.

Ohtani Could Pitch Now If Needed

According to a report from USA Toda's Bob Nightengale, Ohtani is progressing well in his recovery and is already capable of contributing on the mound—if the Dodgers were in urgent need of his services.

“If the Los Angeles Dodgers actually needed him, Shohei Ohtani could step on the mound right now and contribute,” Nightengale wrote, citing a source close to the two-way superstar. “But his return is looking like it may come closer to the All-Star break.”

Dominant Despite Not Pitching

Shohei Ohtani was not able to throw a single pitch in 2024 but took the MVP award anyway. Now, the two-way superstar is gradually progressing in his recovery, eyeing a return to the mound-where he could elevate an already stacked Dodgers pitching staff.

In 2022, Ohtani finished fourth in the American League Cy Young race. Between 2021 and 2023, he was a force on the hill-starting 74 games and racked up 542 strikeouts with a very impressive 2.84 ERA.

The Dodgers are already loaded with elite arms in their rotation, led by Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Dustin May. Adding Ohtani back into this mix will turn an already intimidating group into one of the most dominant rotations in baseball.

Not Rushed, Just Thoughtful Careful Planning

Yet, Los Angeles isn't too keen to rush things. This isn't a hoot for them; a good wait is. They have proven their patience because they know coming back will mean making some very tough choices: moving a current starter to the pen or trading.

Dustin May has looked good in his last few appearances, but the chances of him holding onto a rotation spot once Ohtani is cleared mount heavily against him. Anyway, the Dodgers are not short of options. While the pitching depth is well bolstered, a strong case can be made for utilizing some of those assets in improving the offense.

As the recovery of Ohtani goes into motion, the Dodgers will be in a most enviable position which is not only time-rich but pretty much overflowing with talented individuals.