Shohei Ohtani (30), a “superstar” of the Los Angeles Dodgers, seems to be a person living alone in a different world. Not only did he approach the unprecedented milestone of 50 homers and 50 steals, but he also threw a fastball reaching 150 kilometers per hour from the bullpen this time, displaying monstrous recovery speed.
Ohtani threw a bullpen session ahead of the 2024 Major League Baseball Atlanta Braves game at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia on the 15th (Korea Standard Time).
Ohtani, who underwent surgery on his right elbow last year and devoted himself to rehabilitation, started pitching in the bullpen for the sixth time since the surgery and threw a total of 25 pitches. Japanese sports magazine Sports Hochi reported on Ohtani’s bullpen pitching on the day, saying, “Ohtani threw 25 pitches, the most since he went into rehabilitation, and his maximum speed was 93 miles (150 kilometers).”
Of course, it cannot be said that he has fully recovered. Ohtani posted an average speed of 96.8 miles (156 kilometers) on four-seam fastballs last year when he was playing for the Los Angeles Angels.
Ohtani, who is committed as a designated hitter this year, but had a combined pitching and hitting until last year, appeared in 135 games as a batter and recorded a batting average of .304, on-base percentage of .412, slugging percentage of .654, and OPS 1.066 with 44 home runs, 95 RBIs and 20 steals, and pitched 132 innings as a pitcher, leaving 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA.
Ohtani, who was on a roll, had to undergo surgery. Ohtani took the mound as a starter in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 24 last year, but had to step down after one ⅓ inning. Ohtani has since been on the operating table to undergo Tommy John surgery and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.
Ohtani’s return to the mound was originally scheduled for the 2025 season, but as Ohtani recovers quickly, some are raising the possibility of taking the postseason. 먹튀검증
Dodgers’ goal this year is to win the World Series. This is why Dodgers signed a 10-year, 700 million-dollar contract with Ohtani. Ohtani’s contract has made history as the largest contract in the history of North American professional sports. Currently, Dodgers is ranking first in the National League West with 87 wins and 60 losses, and chances are high it will win the district championship again this year. The problem lies in the postseason. Dodgers won the district championship with 100 wins and 62 losses last year, but ended up with the worst result in the postseason. It ended up losing to Arizona Diamondbacks without even one win in the Division Series.
As such, no one knows what will happen in a short-term game. As such, Ohtani needs to take the postseason as well. Ohtani has never played in the Major League Baseball postseason, but he was a relief pitcher against the U.S. at the top of the ninth inning in the World Baseball Classic final last year, striking out Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels and leading the Japanese national team to victory. He is ready to display his spirit of sacrifice in a “big game” whenever his team wants to. Given that Ohtani chose the Dodgers to win the World Series, he could take the mound in the postseason.
Perhaps, it is a card that makes our mouths water. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said in an interview with “MLB Network Radio” on the 14th, “I hope Ohtani’s chances of playing in the playoffs will motivate Ohtani’s rehabilitation. The possibility of Ohtani passing is very slim, but not 0 percent,” leaving Ohtani’s possibility of playing in the postseason.
Will Ohtani be able to become the first major league player to join the 50-50 club and come out as a relief pitcher in the World Series to lead the Dodgers to victory? Ohtani has appeared in 144 games so far, with a .290 batting average, .373 on-base percentage, .613 slugging percentage, and .985 OPS with 47 homers, 104 RBIs and 48 steals. Ohtani, who was silent in the game against Atlanta on the 14th, will face Chris Sale, the “left-hander special” who is mentioned as a candidate for the National League Cy Young Award, against Atlanta on the 15th.
