NEW YORK (AP) — Shohei Ohtani faced hitters Sunday for the first time since elbow surgery, throwing 22 pitches at Citi Field before the Los Angeles Dodgers played the New York Mets.
With dozens of reporters watching from the stands more than 4 1/2 hours ahead of gametime, the two-way superstar pitched to five batters in a simulated setting — including teammates Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior watched closely from the field. Prior said Ohtani’s fastball ranged from 94-97 mph, and the right-hander also threw off-speed pitches.
Working out of the windup, Ohtani fielded a comebacker, struck out two batters and walked his final one in a session that lasted about 10 minutes. Kim lined a ball into the right-field corner that likely would have gone for a double or triple.
A three-time MVP, Ohtani isn’t expected to make his pitching debut for the Dodgers in mid-July. He is recovering from the second major operation on his right elbow since he arrived in the majors from Japan, and hasn’t pitched in a big league game since Aug. 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels.
He returned as a hitter last year after signing a then-record with the Dodgers as a free agent and by batting .310 with 54 homers, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases.
Following to repair a , Ohtani threw four bullpens at spring training from Feb. 15-25, then paused to prepare for opening day as a hitter. He resumed bullpen sessions on March 29.
The designated hitter went into Sunday night’s series finale against the Mets batting .302 with 17 homers, 31 RBIs and a 1.040 OPS. He has 11 stolen bases and leads the majors with 53 runs for the .
Ohtani is 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings during five seasons as a big league pitcher. He had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Oct. 1, 2018, and returned to a major league mound on July 26, 2020, though he was limited to just two starts during the pandemic-shortened season.
Ohtani is one of several high-profile Dodgers pitchers coming back from injuries. after recovering from , but and , both due to shoulder inflammation.
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AP Baseball Writer Ronald Blum contributed to this report.
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