SAN DIEGO — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Wednesday that Shohei Ohtani is progressing in his throwing program, but stopped short of offering a timeline for the two-way star’s return to the mound.
Speaking before the team’s game at Dodger Stadium, Roberts said Ohtani has recently thrown simulated games and is “north of zero” in his buildup, a phrase he used to describe the encouraging but still early stage of Ohtani’s recovery.
“He’s doing fine. He’s progressing,” Roberts said. “But there’s still a lot of boxes to check before he’s back pitching in a game.”
Ohtani, who is recovering from elbow surgery that has kept him from pitching this season, continues to serve as the Dodgers’ designated hitter. He leads the team in several offensive categories and has been one of the most consistent bats in the lineup.
Roberts emphasized that while Ohtani’s rehab is going well, the team is taking a cautious approach and will factor in both his health and the club’s pitching needs before making any decisions.
“We’re not going to put a date on it,” Roberts said. “We’ll continue to monitor how he feels and see where we’re at when the time comes.”
The Dodgers entered Wednesday leading the NL West and will likely look to reinforce their rotation as the season progresses. If Ohtani is able to return to the mound in the second half, it could provide a major boost for Los Angeles as they eye another deep postseason run.