ROAD TO RECOVERY
Shohei Ohtani injury update as Los Angeles Dodgers star recovers from surgery and is pitching ‘up to 80mph’ again
Ohtani is one of baseball's leading hitters this season
MLB All-Star Shohei Ohtani's recovery from Tommy John surgery appears to be right on track.
The Los Angeles Dodgers star is now eight months removed from his surgery, which he underwent while a member of the Angels.
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While Ohtani hasn't pitched since August 23, his batting form has impressed all season.
The 29-year-old is currently second in MLB in OPS at 1.024, behind only New York Yankees star Aaron Judge.
Meanwhile, he ranks fifth in runs (40), seventh in homers (13), and third in hits (71).
Speaking on his recovery on Monday, Ohtani said that last week he began throwing from 60 feet once again, reaching 80mph.
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"Just progressively increasing the distance," he said ahead of their scheduled game on Monday night against the New York Mets - which wound up being postponed.
"Usually anywhere from 60-70 pitches, in that distance.
"Just continuing to increase the distance and the pitches, and just seeing where that goes.
"I'm not quite sure how far I'm going to go out there, but that's the progression."
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And this isn't the only injury Ohtani has had to deal with recently.
Hit by a pickoff throw during the Dodgers' most recent home game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Ohtani has since been nursing a bruised hamstring.
Philadelphia Phillies take on New York Mets in MLB London Series 2024
Thankfully for Dodgers fans, Ohtani said this is "getting better day by day."
"Today is definitely a lot better than yesterday."
After the postponement of the Dodgers' series opener against the Mets on Monday, the two teams will face off in a doubleheader on Tuesday at Citi Field.
Game 1 will begin at 4:10pm ET, with Game 2 slated to start around 30 minutes after the first ends.
But while heavy rain may have caused the game to be called off on Monday, this didn't stop Ohtani from working on his craft - despite the fact he won't be pitching this season.
Five key MLB rule changes in 2024
1. The pitch clock is reduced from 20 to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain at 15 seconds with bases empty.
2. When a pitching change is made, the innings timer will reset to 2:00 rather than 2:15 like it did last year.
3. Teams will only be allowed four mound visits per game in 2024, down from five last season.
4. Fielders and defenders blocking bases will be called for obstruction by referees.
5. The runners' lane from home plate to first base has been widened to include the dirt between the grass and the white line.
A video of Ohtani pitching in the bullpen in the pouring rain went viral on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Monday.
Many fans loved seeing Ohtani's dedication, such as one who said, "Rain or shine Shohei will always shine."
As a second said, "When others take a break, it's your chance to pass them. Go Shohei!"
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But not all were quite as pleased with the clip, with another fan replying, "More like stupidity of Dodgers to not protect him from hurting himself on wet field conditions."
Ohtani signed a 10-year deal with the Dodgers in December worth $700 million.
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