Major Milestone: Shohei Ohtani Faces Live Batters in Tommy John Recovery
Aaron Holmes 
Shohei Ohtani hit a major milestone in his Tommy John recovery when he threw to live batters for the first time in 641 days. The superstar touched 97 mph in his 22-pitch session – his first time facing hitters since his second elbow surgery in September of 2023.
Ohtani’s bat has definitely stayed hot even though he hasn’t pitched since August 23, 2023. He is tied of third in the majors with 18 home runs and carries an impressive .295/.388/.638 batting line while working through his Tommy John surgery rehab. His unique recovery lets him stay in the lineup as a designated hitter as he works his way back to pitching. This progress comes at a vital time for the Dodgers who have 15 pitchers on the injured list and invested in Ohtani with a massive 10-year, $700 million contract just ahead of the 2024 season.
Ohtani throws live batting practice for first time since surgery
Shohei Ohtani marked a crucial milestone in his pitching comeback at Citi Field on Sunday afternoon. He faced live hitters for the first time since his second Tommy John surgery [1]. The Japanese superstar pitched to three batters – utility player Hyeseong Kim, catcher Dalton Rushing, and game-planning coach J.T. Watkins. Watkins specifically volunteered because Ohtani didn’t want to risk hitting any of the team’s right-handed batters [2].
“I haven’t thrown in a while, so it was nice to be able to feel like I was a pitcher,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton after the session [3]. “I just kind of remembered those days when I used to have a lot of good memories as a pitcher.”
The 10-minute session showcased Ohtani’s impressive arsenal. He managed to keep his velocity between 94-95 mph and occasionally reached 97 mph [4]. His pitches included four-seam fastballs, sinkers, cutters, two sweepers and his signature splitter [3]. “I try to keep it 93-94, but I know I was touching 96 and 97s; which I wanted to not do, but it’s a good sign that I could hit that,” Ohtani said [1].
The session yielded positive results. Ohtani struck out two batters, gave up just one hit (a line drive to right by Kim), smoothly fielded a comebacker, and walked his final batter [5]. His teammates created a lively atmosphere with their cheers from behind the batting cage [5]. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza watched the session and said, “He’s special. He’s getting ready to be the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers and four hours before the first pitch, he’s throwing 95, 96 with a split” [5].
Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior praised Ohtani’s performance: “He was moving the ball both sides of the plate. I think he got the awkward swings that you would want to see… It was a really good live BP” [5]. Manager Dave Roberts called it “a good first step” and added it was “certainly exciting for all of us” [3].
This session stands as a significant step in Ohtani’s careful recovery from his September 2023 surgery. He continues his remarkable experience as both an elite hitter and potential rotation-bolstering pitcher for the Dodgers.
What’s next in Ohtani’s Tommy John recovery journey
Ohtani’s Tommy John recovery will move forward after his successful live batting practice. The two-way star plans to throw another live batting practice session in the next 7-10 days. This helps him build arm strength and stamina. His careful recovery follows the standard path for pitchers after their second Tommy John surgery, which he had last September.
Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts says Ohtani needs several live batting practice sessions before moving to simulated games. These games mark a crucial step in his recovery. He’ll face real batters who take actual swings at his pitches.
“As we look forward, there’s going to be probably a couple more live BPs and then we’ll go to sim games,” Roberts explained after Sunday’s session. “We’re going to be very methodical about it.”
The Dodgers haven’t set a specific date for Ohtani’s return to the mound. His progress shows he’s on track for a possible late-season pitching debut. The team balances his recovery with his current role as their everyday designated hitter.
“The next step is going to be how he responds tomorrow,” Roberts noted. “After that, we’ll figure out when his next live BP is going to be.”
Pitchers usually take 14-16 months to return after a second Tommy John procedure – longer than the first. In spite of that, Ohtani has shown remarkable healing abilities throughout his career.
The final decision about his 2025 pitching role will come after he completes multiple simulated games. The Dodgers might start him with shorter outings or specific situations before putting him in the starting rotation.
“I think we’re all encouraged by what we saw today,” pitching coach Mark Prior stated. “There’s still a ways to go, but this was definitely a most important step forward in the process.”
Dodgers confirm no minor league rehab for Ohtani
The Dodgers have taken a different path from standard recovery protocols for pitchers returning from Tommy John surgery. Their clear stance on Shohei Ohtani’s rehabilitation process means he won’t need minor league rehab assignments during his recovery from his second Tommy John surgery.
“We’ve tried to take a very methodical approach to this, understanding the uniqueness of the situation,” explained Dodgers pitching coach Mark Prior. “I don’t think anybody in that room would ever doubt what he can do.”
This unique approach makes sense because of Ohtani’s special role as both pitcher and elite hitter. The Dodgers want his powerful bat to stay in the lineup throughout his pitching rehabilitation. The fact that he is currently tied for third in the Majors with 17 home runs and impressive batting line make the Dodgers reluctant to lose his offensive production.
Ohtani believes strongly in this rehabilitation plan. “I’ve done this before previously,” he said through his interpreter. “So as long as I’m getting the pitch count, the intensity in, I feel pretty good, I’ll be well-prepared.”
The Japanese superstar has experience with this method. The Los Angeles Angels employed the same approach after Ohtani’s first elbow surgery in October 2018. They built him up through controlled simulated games instead of minor league appearances.
Rather than traditional rehab starts, Ohtani will:
- Participate in multiple live batting practice sessions
- Progress to simulated games with the major league club
- Build up his pitch count in controlled environments
- Maintain his hitting schedule without interruption
Most pitchers recovering from elbow ligament repair make several minor league starts before returning to major league action. The Dodgers’ strategy breaks from this tradition. Baseball has never seen a talent quite like Ohtani, and his exceptional circumstances demand a tailored approach.
“I think this is just such a unique situation that there’s no one kind of blueprint,” remarked Dodgers manager Dave Roberts about Ohtani’s Tommy John recovery trip.
Injuries force Dodgers to rely on Ohtani’s return
The Dodgers face a severe pitching crisis that makes Ohtani’s Tommy John recovery more crucial than ever. Their pitching staff has hit rock bottom with numerous pitchers on the injured list – an unheard-of situation. This crisis has the organization hoping Ohtani could give their rotation a boost late in the season.
Their pitching staff is missing several core players. Veteran pitchers Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell are currently on the Injured List along with prized Rookie sensation Roki Sasaki. As a result, this leaves a huge gap in what should have been a powerful star-studded Starting Rotation.
Ohtani’s progress toward pitching comes at the perfect time for the injury-plagued Dodgers. His recent live batting practice showed his returning arm strength when his fastball hit 97 mph. He also showed control of several pitch types, including his signature splitter.
The Dodgers have patched together their rotation with openers and bullpen games to get through their schedule. Despite making emergency moves to fix their pitching shortage, Ohtani’s talent remains their most exciting internal option.
The team’s officials stick to their careful approach with Ohtani’s Tommy John surgery rehab, but their desperate pitching situation has everyone eager about his possible return to the mound. His progress matters more now as the team weighs current competitive needs against his future health.
The growing expectations haven’t changed the Dodgers’ stance – they won’t rush his recovery timeline. Yet one truth stands out: few additions could boost their pitching staff like a healthy Ohtani.
Conclusion
Shohei Ohtani’s trip back to the mound stands out as one of baseball’s most inspiring comeback stories. He faced live batters recently for the first time since his second Tommy John surgery and showed exceptional recovery progress. His pitches reached 97 mph with full command of his arsenal, which points to a strong return to pitching duties. The Dodgers stick to their careful approach and plan several live batting sessions before moving to simulated games.
The team skipped minor league rehab assignments, which explains Ohtani’s special role as baseball’s top two-way player. This unique approach lets him keep his impressive offensive stats while building his pitching strength. The Dodgers can use his bat daily as they look forward to his late-season pitching impact.
Ohtani’s progress comes at the perfect time for the Dodgers. The team has many of their top-ranked pitchers on the injured list, so his return is a chance to boost their struggling rotation. Though they haven’t set a date for his pitching debut, each milestone brings him closer to achieving the complete two-way role they imagined when he signed his $700 million deal.
Ohtani’s amazing recovery shows his incredible drive and physical gifts. Baseball fans watch eagerly as he works to rejoin the game’s best pitchers while staying one of its most feared hitters. His comeback remains one of sports’ most captivating stories today.
References
[1] – https://www.latimes.com/sports/dodgers/story/2025-05-25/dodgers-ohtani-bullpen
[2] – https://abc7.com/post/dodgers-shohei-ohtani-batting-practice-first-time-2-years/16545075/
[3] – https://apnews.com/article/shohei-ohtani-dodgers-f74026fd8f6ef34aa86e1fcdb5760fce
[4] – https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/45317082/dodgers-ohtani-throws-22-pitches-first-bp-nearly-two-years
[5] – https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/mlb/2025/05/25/shohei-ohtani-dodgers/28687d0a-39a3-11f0-912d-d5f4792db3e4_story.html
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