After nearly two years away from the mound, Shohei Ohtani is finally getting closer to pitching at the major league level again. The question isn’t whether he can still dominate hitters — it’s whether the Los Angeles Dodgers actually need (or want) him to.

Ohtani recently took a significant step forward by throwing 22 pitches to five batters in a simulated game before the team’s matchup with the New York Mets last week, marking his first time facing hitters off a mound since his elbow surgery in September 2023. That was before he threw two innings of live batting practice to Los Angeles minor league batters before Saturday’s middle game against the Yankees.

Manager Dave Roberts has set “realistic expectations” for Ohtani’s return, suggesting it will come “after the All-Star break” in July. Progress has been methodical but encouraging, with Ohtani gradually building up his pitch count and recently adding breaking balls to his repertoire.

Slow but Steady Progress

The road back hasn’t been without its bumps. Ohtani’s pitching timeline was significantly altered when he tore the labrum in his left, non-throwing shoulder in Game 2 of the 2024 World Series, requiring another surgery that interfered with his winter rehab throwing program. But the Dodgers have been patient with their $700 million investment.

Ohtani has progressed from throwing only fastballs and splitters to incorporating sliders while working from flat ground, with his pitch counts increasing from around a dozen to 25 and now to 50 pitches. Most importantly, he’s been hitting 95 to 96 mph with his fastball during these sessions, suggesting his arm strength is returning to form.

Two-Way Value vs. MVP Offense

Here’s where things get interesting for the Dodgers. Ohtani just delivered one of the greatest offensive seasons in baseball history, becoming the first player to hit 50 home runs and steal 50 bases while leading the team to a World Series championship. He’s currently mashing again this season, leading the MLB with 22 home runs through May.

The question isn’t whether Ohtani can still pitch effectively — his career 3.01 ERA and 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings speak for themselves. The real debate is whether adding pitching duties will impact his offensive production, and if so, whether that trade-off makes sense for this loaded Dodgers lineup.

The Dodgers aren’t exactly hurting for offensive firepower. With Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, and Will Smith providing plenty of pop throughout the top of the lineup, they could probably afford a slight dip in Ohtani’s offensive numbers if it means adding an ace-caliber arm to their rotation. But given how dominant he’s been at the plate, some analysts have questioned whether it’s worth the risk.

The bigger concern might be what happens if Ohtani suffers another pitching injury. Unlike position players who can often play through minor ailments, pitchers typically need extended time off for arm problems. A setback could sideline the team’s best hitter from the daily lineup for weeks or months. That’s the kind of scenario that keeps front offices awake at night — trading a guaranteed MVP-caliber bat for the possibility of elite pitching.

A Pitching Staff That Needs Help

What makes Ohtani’s potential return even more valuable is the current state of the Los Angeles pitching staff. Three members of their Opening Day rotation — Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Roki Sasaki — are all currently sidelined with shoulder injuries. Several key relievers including Blake Treinen, Evan Phillips, and Kirby Yates have also been dealing with injuries.

The team’s pitching currently ranks 11th in the NL with a 4.22 ERA, a far cry from the dominant staff they envisioned entering the season. While players like Snell and Glasnow are making progress in their recovery, they’re still weeks to months away from returning.

In this context, even a rusty Ohtani could provide immediate value. His presence would give Roberts another reliable arm for what the team plans to be a six-man rotation once he returns. More importantly, it would provide insurance against further injuries to an already depleted staff.

The Bottom Line

The Dodgers are in the enviable position of being World Series contenders whether Ohtani ever pitches again or not. But given their current pitching woes, his return to the mound could be the difference between another championship and an early playoff exit.

Ohtani himself seems confident about returning without an extensive minor league rehab assignment, saying he’s “done this before previously” and feels “pretty good” about his recovery. If he can provide even 10-15 solid starts down the stretch, that would be a massive boost for a team trying to repeat as champions.

The two-way experiment has worked brilliantly for Ohtani throughout his career, and there’s no reason to think it can’t work again in Dodger Blue. Sometimes the best answer to having too much talent is simply finding a way to use all of it.