Shohei Ohtani gets clearer timeline on pitching return for Dodgers

The Los Angeles Dodgers have some big question marks regarding their pitching staff. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are currently dealing with injuries in a tough blow. 

Clayton Kershaw has not pitched since the end of August, and Shohei Ohtani has never pitched since joining the Dodgers. Well, the return date is getting closer for Kershaw, which is positive news. 

For Ohtani, the timeline still remains unclear, although MLB insider Jon Heyman gave an update on Tuesday. 

"Of course the big question is Ohtani. I’m hearing a lot of talk about the second half for him. They’re kind of slow playing it because they can. They have the most bullpen innings of any team right now."

Heyman also added there is "no need to worry too much about this team.”

Still, the Dodgers' shiny, two-way superstar who cashed in a $700 million deal has still not pitched since he was a member of the Los Angeles Angels. He is recovering from elbow surgery, but the expectation was that he would return in 2025, at some point. 

But, Heyman mentioned the second half as a possible return for Ohtani to the mound, which aligns with other reporting that has come out for quite some time. 

Ohtani's last appearance as a pitcher was on Aug. 23, 2023, so it's been a long time since fans have seen him pitching. 

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