Shohei Ohtani’s manager makes long-term admission over fitness concerns: “I don’t know”
Shohei Ohtani continues to impress with his skills in Major League Baseball, and spoke after his second appearance.
Shohei Ohtani continues to dazzle in Major League Baseball, proving he’s a once-in-a-generation talent and worth every dollar the Los Angeles Dodgers are paying for his services.
While a full outing on the mound still seems a long way off—something manager Dave Roberts has acknowledged—Ohtani is showing promising signs in his recovery.
“I think we’re always going to be cautious,” Roberts said. “I don’t even know what ‘fully prepared’ looks like. I don’t think anybody does, because this isn’t your typical starting pitcher. So to say six innings and 90 pitches… I don’t know if we’ll even get there.”
Shohei Ohtani had 2 strikeouts as the starting pitcher in today’s game
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 22, 2025
He also went 2-for-4 with a homer, a triple and 5 RBI at the plate
A generational talent pic.twitter.com/gZ1YHC3jsh
‘Overall, I felt more relaxed’
Ohtani recently made his second pitching appearance of the season for the Dodgers, marking his return to the mound after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his elbow. Facing the Washington Nationals, he threw 18 pitches - 12 of them strikes - and recorded his first two strikeouts of the year.
“I was able to get back into games sooner than I expected,” Ohtani revealed. “Overall, I felt more relaxed compared to my last outing.”
In his first appearance, against the San Diego Padres, Ohtani gave up one run on two hits over 28 pitches before turning the ball over to reliever Anthony Banda.
“I still have things to work on,” Ohtani admitted. “But at the same time, I feel like I can perform even better than I used to.”
As for the manager Dave Roberts, he continues to be in awe of Ohtani’s rare talent and versatility.
"Overall, I was able to relax much better compared to my last outing."
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 22, 2025
Shohei Ohtani (1.0 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 2 K) speaks to the media after his second pitching start in the 13-7 victory over Washington. pic.twitter.com/dLNXX7L1SV
Related stories
“Watching him go from the mound to the on-deck circle to the batter’s box in real time is pretty remarkable,” Roberts said. “He’s just handling it the right way.”
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
Complete your personal details to comment