- First breaking pitches thrown since September 2023 Tommy John surgery
- Dodgers targeting mound return near July All-Star break
- MLB-leading 17 HRs while maintaining .312 batting average
Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani reached a pivotal moment in his elbow surgery rehabilitation Tuesday, incorporating breaking balls into his throwing regimen for the first time since undergoing his second Tommy John procedure. The two-way phenomenon had previously been restricted to fastballs and splitters during his recovery program, making this development a significant marker in his journey back to mound dominance.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters the milestone suggests Ohtani could face live hitters soon, though medical staff maintains control of the timeline. We're seeing tangible progress,Roberts stated, but we won't rush this process. The decision to advance his rehab rests with our sports medicine team.Industry analysts note that 68% of MLB pitchers now reintroduce breaking pitches earlier in rehab compared to five years ago, reflecting evolving rehabilitation strategies.
Southern California sports medicine experts point to Angels pitcher Griffin Canning's 2021 recovery as a regional case study. The Orange County native successfully returned to 95+ MPH fastball velocity after implementing a similar breaking ball progression, though without the concurrent batting demands Ohtani faces. This dual workload presents unique challenges - only 12% of MLB players have attempted two-way roles since 2010, with none matching Ohtani's sustained offensive production during pitching rehab.
While focusing on his mound comeback, Ohtani continues rewriting offensive records. His MLB-best 17 home runs through Tuesday's games place him ahead of 2023's pace, with analysts noting a 9% increase in exit velocity compared to last season. The Dodgers' cautious approach appears justified given these concurrent achievements - no player in baseball history has maintained this level of hitting productivity while recovering from major elbow surgery.
Team physiotherapist Dr. Emily Sato emphasized the customized nature of Ohtani's program: We're blending traditional Tommy John recovery protocols with position player maintenance regimens. Every throwing session includes real-time biomechanical analysis to prevent overload.This hybrid approach could set new standards for two-way athletes, with three MLB clubs already consulting Dodgers staff about dual-role rehabilitation frameworks.
