Friedman: Ohtani to Pitch Again for Dodgers This Season The Los Angeles Dodgers' long-term plans for Shohei Ohtani’s recovery have remained a focal point as the Japanese phenom continues to navigate persistent knee and bicep complications. Within the past 24 hours, the outlook for Ohtani’s return to pitching has shifted, with the 2023 MLB All-Star’s condition raising concerns among fans and analysts. Following a 16-day media silence after Tuesday’s loss, Ohtani disclosed that his left knee and bicep injuries have resurfaced, complicating his rehabilitation efforts. Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman addressed the situation on Wednesday, emphasizing the team’s commitment to Ohtani’s long-term health over immediate performance. Friedman clarified that the club’s approach prioritizes maintaining Ohtani’s natural pitching mechanics without altering his delivery to accommodate his knee issues. “Subconsciously, we did not want to put him in a position where he was altering his mechanics to try to protect the knee in any way,” Friedman stated. He reiterated that Ohtani’s primary goal is to return to the mound pain-free, with his bicep showing improvement. “If it weren’t for the knee, he would be pitching right now. He would be making his regular turn,” Friedman said, highlighting the severity of the knee complications. Ohtani’s progress has been marked by incremental steps, including the introduction of plyo balls into his throwing routine. Friedman noted that Ohtani has begun building up to full throwing sessions, though the timeline for his return remains uncertain. The player reported feeling physically capable during batting and base-running drills but described recurring pain upon landing after pitches.#shohei_ohtani #los_angeles_dodgers #andrew_friedman #mlb_trade_deadline #plyo_balls
