Shohei Ohtani Plays Catch, Reignites Hope in Dodgers’ Comeback Plan

LOS ANGELES — Under the golden California sun, Shohei Ohtani took the field, glove on his left hand, a baseball in his right. With fans leaning over the railings of the practice field and teammates glancing his way between drills, he calmly stepped into his throwing motion and let the ball fly. One toss. Then another. Then a dozen more.

For most players, a light game of catch in mid-April wouldn’t even make headlines. But when the right arm belongs to Shohei Ohtani — arguably the most gifted two-way player baseball has seen in a century — every flick of the wrist becomes newsworthy.

On a crisp Monday afternoon, Ohtani’s slow, deliberate game of catch marked the first visible milestone in his return to pitching after undergoing a second elbow surgery in September 2023. And for the Los Angeles Dodgers — and the global baseball community — it was a sign. A hopeful one. A reminder that the most captivating talent in the game is on the long, disciplined road back.

The Calm Before the Storm

Ohtani wasn’t throwing gas. He was standing roughly 60 feet away from his throwing partner and tossing the ball at what trainers estimate was about 40–50% intensity. The motion was smooth, the follow-through clean. He didn’t wince. He didn’t hesitate.

To those watching, it wasn’t flashy. But for Ohtani, the most-watched elbow in baseball passed another quiet test.

“Everything’s going well so far,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “It’s just part of the process. We’re sticking to the plan.”

The plan is strict. After undergoing a procedure similar to Tommy John surgery in late 2023 — a modified version that allows for a more tailored rehab approach — the Dodgers and Ohtani’s team have implemented a no-rush strategy. There’s too much at stake, too much invested.

The $700 Million Arm

When the Dodgers signed Shohei Ohtani to a historic 10-year, $700 million deal in December, it wasn’t just for his bat. While his hitting has remained elite — he’s already launched multiple homers this season and ranks among the league leaders in OPS — his future on the mound is what makes him generational.

Ohtani’s last full season as a pitcher (2022) was nothing short of dominant:

15 wins, 2.33 ERA, 219 strikeouts, 166 innings pitched
Opposing hitters batted just .203 against him.
He finished 4th in AL Cy Young voting — while also winning AL MVP.

The Dodgers signed Ohtani with full awareness that they wouldn’t get his arm in 2024. But in 2025, they believe they’ll unleash a healthy, rested ace alongside his MVP-caliber offense. The long game is the play.

Why Catching Matters

To the average fan, playing catch seems like a minor step. But for elite pitchers — especially those rehabbing a surgically repaired elbow — it’s foundational. It’s the start of rebuilding mechanics, confidence, and arm strength.

Here’s what’s next in Ohtani’s throwing progression:

Flat-ground throwing: Gradual build-up from short distances to 90+ feet.
Bullpen sessions: Controlled throwing from the mound at partial intensity.
Live batting practice: Facing hitters in a simulated game setting.
Rehab starts: Likely in minor league settings, possibly late in 2024.
Return to MLB mound: Projected for spring 2025, barring setbacks.

Each phase is carefully timed, with feedback from trainers, pitching coaches, and biomechanical analysis. Ohtani’s throwing sessions are recorded, analyzed frame by frame, with any irregularity triggering adjustments.

How the Dodgers Are Protecting Their Investment

The Dodgers knew what they were getting — and not getting — when they signed Ohtani. So far, they’ve treated his comeback with an almost surgical precision.

Separate training schedules: Ohtani works with a personal team for elbow rehab, while also taking part in Dodgers hitting routines.
Built-in rest days: Even when DHing, Ohtani is carefully managed to reduce upper-body stress.
Mental health focus: The Dodgers brought in sports psychologists familiar with post-surgery recovery to ensure Ohtani’s confidence rebuilds in sync with his body.
Technological tracking: From force plates to motion capture systems, Ohtani’s progress is charted with science, not guesswork.

And it’s not just about medical safety — it’s about preparing for a high-velocity, two-way return in 2025.

Dodgers’ Championship Window Tied to Ohtani’s Timeline

Los Angeles didn’t just bring in Ohtani to sell jerseys. They brought him in to be the face of their next World Series era — a centerpiece alongside Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Walker Buehler.

But with Buehler still easing back, Yamamoto navigating his MLB transition, and Kershaw recovering, the Dodgers’ 2024 pitching staff has relied heavily on unproven arms. Ohtani’s return to the mound would change the equation entirely.

If he returns at full strength, the Dodgers could roll into 2025 with:

Ohtani: Ace-level starter with power stuff.
Buehler: Former postseason hero.
Yamamoto: Settled and dominant by Year 2.
Kershaw (if healthy): The wise veteran.
Bobby Miller / Gavin Stone: Young, flame-throwing support.

That rotation — plus Ohtani, Betts, Freeman, and Will Smith in the lineup — is a World Series blueprint. But it hinges on the right arm that just played catch for the first time in six months.

The Global Impact of Ohtani’s Comeback

In Japan, Ohtani’s every move is broadcast live. His jersey sales eclipse entire rosters. Children mimic his leg kick in playgrounds from Hokkaido to Hiroshima. His comeback isn’t just a Dodgers story — it’s a global one.

The moment Ohtani throws his first bullpen or makes his first rehab start, it’ll be national news across multiple countries. And should he return in full form? It could redefine what’s possible in modern baseball.

Two-way excellence, post multiple surgeries?
30+ home runs and 180 strikeouts, same season?
MVP votes as both a pitcher and hitter — again?

The story is as much about what’s next as it is about what’s humanly possible.

What Ohtani Means to the Clubhouse

Inside the Dodgers clubhouse, players rave about Ohtani’s demeanor. Despite his fame and fortune, he’s described as humble, obsessive about routine, and deeply team-oriented.

“He’s the first one in the cage and the last one to leave,” said manager Dave Roberts. “He doesn’t just work hard — he works smart. And guys see that.”

Ohtani may not pitch in 2024, but his presence — and work ethic — set the tone. Young players watch him stretch and hydrate like it’s the ninth inning of Game 7. Veterans respect the quiet intensity. His throw today wasn’t just about the elbow — it was about leadership by example.

The Psychology of the Comeback

Elbow surgery is tough. The rehab is tougher. It’s lonely. It’s monotonous. And for someone like Ohtani — who’s always been elite at everything — the inability to dominate can be a mental hurdle.

But insiders say Ohtani is built differently. He meditates. He visualizes. He writes in a journal. He watches film of his past outings — not to dwell, but to remind himself what it looks like when everything clicks.

“The hardest part is patience,” Ohtani admitted. “But I know what’s waiting on the other side of this.”

That mental toughness is as vital as the physical recovery. It’s why his return seems inevitable, not questionable.

The Bigger Picture: Ohtani and Baseball’s Evolution

Ohtani isn’t just a unicorn — he’s a blueprint. His success has already sparked a wave of young two-way players in the minors, all hoping to follow in his footsteps. MLB front offices are beginning to explore two-way development paths, something unheard of five years ago.

When he returns to pitching, Ohtani’s impact will be seismic:

New wave of dual-role prospects
Training and recovery models copied by other teams
Marketing opportunities globally expanded
MLB’s next rule changes possibly influenced by his uniqueness

His comeback is more than just one player returning from surgery. It’s a potential shift in how the sport evolves.

Looking Ahead

So when will Shohei Ohtani pitch again?

The Dodgers, understandably, won’t commit to an exact date. But best-case projections have him throwing bullpen sessions by late summer 2024, rehab outings by early fall, and a full-speed spring training return in February 2025.

Until then, each throwing session — like the one fans witnessed this week — is a chapter in a much larger story.

The Throw Heard ‘Round Baseball

Shohei Ohtani playing catch might not feel like a milestone to the casual observer. But to the Dodgers, to Japan, to baseball at large — it’s a beacon.

It says: The comeback is happening.

And if Ohtani’s history tells us anything, it’s this — he won’t return unless he’s ready to be great. Not just good. Great.

So that simple toss across the outfield wasn’t just a step forward. It was a warning shot to the rest of the league.

Shohei’s coming back. And when he does, baseball may never be the same again.