The baseball world is finally getting treated to Shohei Ohtani in the postseason.
For the first time in his career, the two-way sensation is playing baseball in October. After missing the playoffs each season as a member of the Angels, all it took was for one campaign with their crosstown rivals to reach the playoffs, as Ohtani is leading the way for the Dodgers during their 2024 run to a World Series.
To say Ohtani's season has been magical would be an understatement. The Japanese star became the first member of MLB's 50-50 club, smashing over 50 home runs and swiping over 50 bags. He surely will have his first NL MVP wrapped up when the awards are handed out at the end of the season, adding to his two MVPs when he was in the AL.
What makes Ohtani's 2024 season even more impressive is the fact that half of his talents haven't been on display in 2024. The Los Angeles superstar underwent elbow surgery last year, keeping him off the mound in 2024. He has yet to pitch a single inning this season as he gets healthy from the injury.
With his recovery from the operation ramping up, it has fans hoping Ohtani will take the mound for the first time in a Dodgers uniform. However, what are the odds that the dream becomes reality this October?
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The Sporting News explains what the status is for Ohtani to pitch in the 2024 postseason.
Is Shohei Ohtani pitching in the playoffs?
While Dodgers and baseball fans may be hoping to see Ohtani return to the mound, it's highly unlikely to happen.
Despite speculation heading into the postseason, the message from the Los Angeles front office remains the same — the team does not have any plans on pitching the Japanese sensation in the playoffs.
"I think it's no different than before," Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said. "We don’t anticipate him pitching in the postseason."
Getting back on the mound in 2024 was always a long shot for Ohtani. At the time of his elbow surgery, Ohtani was expected to only be used as a batter in 2024. The goal was always to pitch in 2025.
MORE: How Shohei Ohtani made history in his first year with the Dodgers
This is what Dr. Neal ElAttrache had to say about the recovery at the time of the operation.
"The ultimate plan after deliberation with Shohei, was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow," ElAttrache said in a statement through Ohtani's agent, Nez Balelo. "I expect full recovery, and he’ll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and [hit and pitch] come 2025.”
Shohei Ohtani recovery timeline
Last year, during a game between the Angles and Reds on Aug. 23, 2023, Ohtani left during the second inning of his start after throwing just 26 pitches. Angels general manager Perry Minasian confirmed that night the star had injured a ligament in his elbow and would not pitch again for the remainder of the season.
He was officially diagnosed with a torn UCL, which required an operation in September.
In May, Ohtani began throwing from 60 feet out and was starting to hit 80 miles per hour on the gun, according to an ESPN report. The Dodgers star said he threw between 60-70 pitches from the 60-foot range, and the goal was to increase the distance as he recovers.
On Aug. 24, he threw from the mound for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery nearly a year prior. He went to the Dodgers bullpen and threw 10 pitches that Saturday.
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He has since continued to throw bullpen sessions, but if everything continues as Los Angeles has planned, he won't pitch in an MLB game until the 2025 season.
Shohei Ohtani career pitching stats
It's understandable why the Dodgers faithful would be clamoring to see Ohtani on the mound. He has been stellar in his time at the MLB level, emerging as one of the best arms in the game.
| Season | Team | Starts | Record | IP | ERA | WHIP | K | BB |
| 2018 | Angels | 10 | 4-2 | 51.2 | 3.31 | 1.16 | 63 | 22 |
| 2019 | Angels | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2020 | Angels | 2 | 0-1 | 1.2 | 37.80 | 6.60 | 3 | 8 |
| 2021 | Angels | 23 | 9-2 | 130.1 | 3.18 | 1.09 | 156 | 44 |
| 2022 | Angels | 28 | 15-9 | 166.0 | 2.33 | 1.01 | 219 | 44 |
| 2023 | Angels | 23 | 10-5 | 132.0 | 3.14 | 1.06 | 167 | 55 |
| 2024 | Dodgers | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Total | — | 86 | 38-19 | 481.2 | 3.01 | 1.08 | 608 | 173 |
