June 11, 2025 – San Diego — Shohei Ohtani is one step closer to stepping onto a Major League mound again. On Tuesday, the Dodgers superstar threw his third simulated game, tossing 44 pitches over three innings during a “pitch clock” session against live batters in Petco Park—an encouraging milestone in his comeback from a second Tommy John surgery.
Encouraging Progress & Manager’s Take
- Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the chance of Ohtani pitching in a regular-season game before the All-Star break (July 15) is “north of zero”—meaning it’s unlikely but not off the table.
- Pitching coach Mark Prior noted it’s all about reducing risk. “Once he’s up around 60–70 pitches, you can start dreaming about a game,” he said after seeing Ohtani’s fastball sit in the mid-90s and striking out six over the session.
Offense Strong, Rotation Strained
- Offensively, Ohtani remains dominant—he leads the NL with 23 home runs, boasts a .291 average, .387 OBP, and .628 slugging percentage.
- Critically, he pitches in a bullpen-starved rotation: injuries sidelined eight starters, including Snell, Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki, making his return increasingly vital as August approaches.
What Happens Next?
- With three simulated outings now complete, the next step is a 4‑5 inning session aiming for the 60‑pitch threshold.
- A potential July mound debut could create a unique “piggyback” setup—Ohtani starts a few innings and a traditional starter finishes the game—thanks to his two-way roster role.
In summary: Shohei Ohtani’s simulated outings continue to impress—fastball velocity returns, strikes occur, and confidence builds. While a pre‑All‑Star start remains unlikely, mounting signs suggest a late‑July return isn’t just a dream.
Information from Reuters’ “Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani moves closer to pitching return,” Yahoo Sports’ “Roberts doesn’t rule out return before All‑Star break,” and New York Post’s update on his pitch metrics was used in this story.
