"Pitcher Ohtani sprayed 153km." Why did the Dodgers say, "It's important to play 5 at-bats in every game?"

"Pitcher Ohtani sprayed 153km." Why did the Dodgers say, "It's important to play 5 at-bats in every game?"

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Shohei Ohtani (31) of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitched against a batter for the first time since he was put on the operating table after suffering an elbow injury in August 2023. Ohtani's return clock is ticking fast.스포츠토토

Yahoo Sports of the U.S. said on the 24th (Korea time), "Dodgers' Ohtani will play his first game against the New York Mets on the 26th," adding, "Coach Dave Roberts initially said he would play on the 25th, but the Dodgers played 13 extra innings against the Mets and the day was postponed by one day."

This is the moment that the Dodgers have been waiting for since they signed a 10-year, $700 million mega contract with Ohtani ahead of last season.

Ohtani, who was continuing his pitching training after last season, suffered a left shoulder injury and stopped pitching training, and his return schedule was naturally delayed.

Ohtani, who has recently been in the process of pitching the bullpen, gradually threw a breaking ball that could put relatively more pressure on his elbow, signaling that his return is approaching.

According to the media, Roberts, who saw the most recent pitch, expressed satisfaction and reached a maximum of 95 miles (152.9 kilometers) per hour.

Roberts said, "The ball is looking good. It's easy to get 94,95 miles out of his hands. "It's a really good pitch," he said. "We're all excited about how he will look to hitters. I'm also worried if he decides to increase his speed, but it all depends on his schedule. When he throws sliders to hitters and wants to increase his speed, it's all a matter between him and his doctor."

There is another reason that makes it difficult for Ohtani to return to the mound. This is due to concern over his absence as a batter. While serving as a designated hitter last year, Ohtani achieved the record of 50 homers and 50 steals for the first time in the National League, receiving the unanimous MVP award.

Roberts said he has no plan to send Ohtani to the Minor League to pitch in order to return as a pitcher. "Of course, recovery process is important, but playing five at-bats per game is also important."

Therefore, it is not easy to speed up the return clock. Roberts said, "We still have a couple of months left," but he has no reason to be in a hurry. The defending champion Dodgers are currently ranked first in the National League West, so there is nothing to be desired if they can use pitcher Ohtani only in fall baseball while consistently using batter Ohtani rather than having adventurers.

"It is clear that the Dodgers will not rush Ohtani back even if they need help in the rotation," the media said. "Ohtani's return will ease the burden on pitchers who are vulnerable to injury by allowing them to switch to a long-planned six-man rotation system, but according to the ㅍ Los Angeles Dodgers, the Dodgers already have a 99.3 percent chance of entering the fall baseball league." They say there is no reason to force Ohtani back to the mound.

The fact that Tyler Glasnow is close to returning to the mound is another reason why Ohtani does not need to be impatient about his return to the mound. "I think he threw 16 to 19 pitches today. He is in good condition after pitching," Roberts said.

There are also many pitchers who will return to the mound including Blake Snell and Sasaki Loki. Although the mound is not in a good condition, Dodgers is preparing Ohtani to return to the mound in a relaxed manner, unlike baseball fans.