Although Shohei Ohtani's third bullpen practice pitch met the standard, the comeback timetable is still long

Before the Dodgers' home game against the Cubs on Saturday, Shohei Ohtani completed his third cowpen practice shot of the season. While it will take time to return to the pitcher's mound, the 30-ball drill, which focuses on four-stitch, two-seam speedball and knuckleball, marks a steady progress.

"In good shape," said coach Dave Roberts, "the ball was 90-92 mph and the ball was accurately controlled, which was exactly as good as the 90-mile benchmark set by the medical team." Previously, Ohtani completed 20 balls and 26 balls on March 29 and April 5 respectively.

The second-time superstar has suffered several thwarts in his rehabilitation since undergoing his second right elbow surgery in September 2023 and repairing his labral laceration in his left shoulder after the 2024 World Championships. Roberts had expected to be on the board in May, but paused his pitching practice during spring training to focus on the Tokyo series.

"The opening of the season is a priority to ensure the state of the strike," explained Ohtani at the pre-trip press conference in Tokyo through interpreter Will Ireton, "and it is going well as planned." "

The timetable for the comeback is still unclear. Roberts revealed that the next step will be to gradually add skateball training, followed by segmented cowshed practice throwing, and finally enter the actual combat stage. "There's still a long way to go," Roberts stressed. The Dodgers have always put Ohtani's health top of mind to ensure they are in top shape for the playoffs.

Although another pitcher, Blake Snell, has recently been on the injury list, the team has not adjusted Otani's rehabilitation strategy. "He'll be on the bench when he's training at the right level," Roberts reiterated.