Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani Takes Massive Step Forward In His Return To Mound

Less than 24 hours after joining the 40-40 club with a walk-off grand slam, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani made a significant stride in his Tommy John rehab by throwing off a mound for the first time.

On Saturday afternoon, Ohtani threw 10 pitches in the Dodgers’ bullpen at Dodger Stadium.

While the Dodgers have confirmed that Ohtani won’t pitch this season, this bullpen session marks important progress in his recovery. This step followed a historic performance on Friday night, where Ohtani became the fastest player in MLB history to reach the 40-40 milestone in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays.

He followed up by hitting his 41st home run on Saturday.

Ohtani achieved the 40-40 mark in just his 126th game of the season, making him the quickest to do so in major league history. He’s only the sixth player ever to record 40 home runs and 40 stolen bases in a season and the first Dodgers player to accomplish this feat.

“It’s really more about winning,” Ohtani said through his interpreter Will Ireton after the game. “Obviously, the record is part of the process, but the most important thing is winning the game.”

The designated hitter didn’t go up to the plate looking to hit a home run.

“A walk would have been fine,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “I was just trying to get on base.”

The previous fastest 40-40 record was held by Alfonso Soriano, who reached the milestone in his 148th game for the Washington Nationals in 2006.

“I mean, 40-40 in the same game, walk-off grand slam … it’s just storybook,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I always say that you can’t script a game, but man, if there was a script, that couldn’t have been written any better. Shohei just never ceases to amaze.”

In August alone, Ohtani has stolen 12 bases without being caught, the most by a Dodger in a single month since Rafael Furcal’s 12-for-12 performance in September and October of 2007.

“I know that he’s taking very good care of his legs to be able to do it and be that dynamic player,” Roberts said. “He’s doing his homework on opposing pitchers and getting great jumps. He’s a much better base stealer now, very efficient.”

Could a 50-50 season be possible for Ohtani?

“The most important thing is to be able to contribute to winning the game, and obviously the closer I get to 50-50, the more I’m contributing to the team winning,” he said. “If that’s how it is, I’m happy for that.”

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