Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has provided an encouraging update on Shohei Ohtani's progress toward a return to pitching, indicating that the two-way star needs only one more live batting practice session before he will be considered ready to take the mound again.

Ohtani reportedly threw 30 pitches in his latest session, according to Roberts. He has been sidelined from pitching since early July because of knee inflammation and biceps discomfort, though he has continued to serve as the Dodgers' designated hitter throughout the layoff.

That keeps Ohtani in a familiar but closely watched role for the Dodgers, who have managed his workload carefully since he signed with the club in December 2023 on a 10-year, $700 million contract. His return to mound work would restore the two-way element that has been central to his value and to the broader attention around his health, especially after he missed the 2024 season as a pitcher following his second Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2023.

Background

Ohtani won the American League MVP Award with the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 and 2023 before joining the club. After undergoing his second Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2023, he did not pitch during the 2024 season, appearing exclusively as a designated hitter while recording the first 50-home-run, 50-stolen-base season in major league history and winning the National League MVP. The Dodgers went on to capture the World Series that year, Ohtani's first with the team.

MVP Implications

Roberts' update suggests Ohtani is nearing a pitching return, a development that could influence his performance metrics and his candidacy for individual awards such as the National League MVP. Pricing in prediction markets appears consistent with a moderate positive impact on Ohtani's MVP odds, reflecting cautious optimism about his comeback, while his continued absence from the mound since July remains a factor in assessments of his award prospects.

What to Watch Next

Observers will be watching for official announcements regarding Ohtani's next live batting practice session and any subsequent pitching schedule. A successful return to pitching would restore another dimension to the Dodgers' roster planning, while any setbacks in his recovery process might affect his standing in award considerations and the team's season strategy. As the season progresses, updates from the Dodgers' camp and Ohtani's performance metrics may signal further shifts in his award outlook.