If some other hitter was getting back from a shoulder operation, there could be considerations. If some other pitcher was getting back from a season-long absence spent recovering from a second elbow reconstruction, there could be tempered expectations.
Shohei Ohtani will encounter each obstacles this 12 months, however the widespread assumption is that he’ll proceed launching 450-foot homers and pumping 100-mph fastballs.
“Shohei’s going to be Shohei,” Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman mentioned.
How practical is that? How practical is it that Ohtani will stay the identical participant who has received three most respected participant awards? How practical is it that he’ll be the identical hitter he was final 12 months, and the identical pitcher he was the 12 months earlier than that, when he’s getting back from two main surgical procedures?
“I simply don’t see how he’s not,” Freeman mentioned.
Freeman pointed to how Ohtani performed on after he partially dislocated his left shoulder when he was caught stealing second base in Recreation 2 of the World Collection towards the New York Yankees.
“He performed two days later,” Freeman mentioned. “I needed to contact him in Recreation 3 to verify he was actual. Whenever you pop your shoulder out like he did and also you tear one thing, you often can’t elevate your arm above your head. I watched him stroll in on a exercise day in New York and lift his arm utterly over his head. I used to be, like, ‘How is that this man doing this?’”
Ohtani performed the rest of the collection.
“So I might by no means put something previous Shohei,” Freeman mentioned.
4 days after the Dodgers celebrated their championship with a downtown parade, Ohtani underwent surgical procedure to restore a torn labrum. The operation was carried out by the identical physician who twice repaired his proper elbow, Dr. Neal ElAttrache.
A torn labrum altered the profession trajectory of former Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp. The identical was true for Cody Bellinger, one other former Dodgers outfielder who now performs for the New York Yankees.
Kemp and Bellinger mentioned their shoulders felt tight after their operations.
“The shoulder surgical procedure was sort of a sophisticated surgical procedure, the joint is in a sophisticated place,” Ohtani mentioned. “From the standpoint of increasing my vary of movement, I needed to do greater than with the elbow.”
Shohei Ohtani grimaces in ache after sustaining a shoulder damage whereas attempting to steal a base in Recreation 2 of the World Collection towards the Yankees at Dodger Stadium on Oct. 26.
(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Occasions)
However whereas Kemp and Bellinger injured their lead shoulders, the left-handed-hitting Ohtani harm his again shoulder.
“For Shohei, batting left-handed, it being his again shoulder is much less of a priority,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned.
Ohtani has began hitting off tees, and Roberts has examined some movies of him swinging the bat.
“You simply wouldn’t suppose that there was any surgical procedure this previous winter,” Roberts mentioned.
The numbers make the identical case, as Ohtani’s batted balls off tees are touring sooner than 100 mph.
“It’s nonetheless north of any participant we have now proper now,” Roberts mentioned.
Ohtani completed final season with 54 house runs, a profession excessive. Referring to how Ohtani’s spouse is pregnant, Freeman joked, “Now, he’s bought dad energy coming, so possibly he’ll hit 60 this 12 months.”
The journey to recuperate his All-Star type as a pitcher could possibly be the tougher job, as getting back from a second Tommy John surgical procedure is a monumental endeavor.
Walker Buehler confronted that problem final 12 months, and earlier than he turned a postseason hero for the Dodgers, the right-hander posted a 1-6 file and 5.38 earned-run common in 16 regular-season begins. The one beginning pitchers recognized to endure a second elbow reconstruction and return to their earlier efficiency ranges are Nathan Eovaldi and Jameson Taillon.
Roberts already dominated out Ohtani pitching within the season-opening collection towards the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19, and Ohtani was obscure when requested about when he might make his first begin.
“We’ve solely made tough plans,” Ohtani mentioned. “I believe we’ll determine [on a timeline] after I return after I throw bullpen classes in camp.”
Ohtani final pitched in 2023 when he was nonetheless with the Angels. He was 10-5 with a 3.13 ERA in 23 begins, however tore his ulnar collateral ligament in a late-August begin. He underwent surgical procedure a month later.
Shohei Ohtani is launched throughout DodgerFest at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
(Wally Skalij/Los Angeles Occasions)
The primary time Ohtani had his elbow reconstructed was in his rookie 12 months in 2018. He tried to pitch within the pandemic-shortened 2020 season however was restricted to 2 ineffective begins.
This time round, Ohtani mentioned he feels extra comfy. He briefly paused his throwing program when his shoulder was repaired in November and once more final month when a wildfire pressured him, his spouse and his world-famous canine to evacuate from their house for 2 weeks. Ohtani mentioned his dwelling scenario wasn’t what saved him from understanding.
“I used to be bedridden with the flu on the time,” he mentioned.
With spring coaching beginning subsequent week, Ohtani mentioned he was optimistic about his situation. Freeman additionally was upbeat.
Freeman provided a reminder that Ohtani already has completed the unimaginable by pitching and hitting at elite ranges within the main leagues.
“I wouldn’t put something previous the person,” Freeman mentioned.