Shohei Ohtani, the talented two-way player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, took another step forward in his return to the mound by completing his second bullpen session of spring training on Tuesday. This marks a significant development in Ohtani's journey back to pitching after undergoing elbow surgery that sidelined him from pitching last season.
Ohtani, who had his first bullpen session on Saturday, is aiming to make his pitching comeback this season, having last pitched on August 23, 2023, for the Los Angeles Angels. Despite being limited to hitting duties last season, Ohtani showcased his exceptional skills by winning his third MVP award and achieving the remarkable feat of hitting 54 home runs and stealing 59 bases, making him the first player to join the exclusive 50/50 club, as the Dodgers clinched the World Series title.
However, Ohtani is not without his challenges as he is also recovering from a partially torn labrum in his left shoulder, an injury sustained during the World Series while sliding into second base. Despite these setbacks, Ohtani remains determined to return to the pitcher's mound and contribute to the Dodgers' success.
As a pitcher, Ohtani boasts an impressive career record of 38-19 with a 3.01 ERA, along with 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 innings over his five-year major-league career. Prior to his injury in 2023, Ohtani had a stellar season with a 10-5 record, a 3.14 ERA, and 167 strikeouts in 132 innings pitched.
With Ohtani's progress in his bullpen sessions, Dodgers fans are eagerly anticipating his return to the pitching rotation and the impact he can make on the team's quest for another successful season.
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