Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani Hints Mound Return Before All-Star Game

Shohei Ohtani is making significant progress toward returning to pitching for the Los Angeles Dodgers this season after recovering from elbow ligament surgery. He recently threw 44 pitches over three simulated innings against minor league hitters, showing promising signs of readiness and game intensity, though both he and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts emphasize caution regarding the timing of his return. Ohtani expressed confidence in regaining his two-way player form, describing last season as an anomaly and stating that being a two-way player is his norm. His return to pitching is particularly valuable for the Dodgers, whose rotation has been impacted by injuries. Ohtani also contributed offensively, hitting two home runs in a recent game, further demonstrating his two-way capabilities. While the Dodgers have not set a definitive timeline, there is optimism that Ohtani could pitch in a major league game before the All-Star break, with his unique two-way status allowing flexibility in his pitching workload.