Shohei Ohtani made headlines last night with a remarkable achievement, hitting his 40th home run and stealing his 40th base of the season with a walk-off grand slam. This milestone, known as a 40-40 season, underscores his exceptional performance and versatility as both a hitter and a base runner. The accomplishment is a testament to his skill and endurance throughout the season.
Following this impressive feat, Ohtani took a significant step in his pitching rehabilitation by throwing off a mound for the first time since undergoing elbow surgery last September. This session took place at Dodger Stadium before the Dodgers’ game against the Rays. Ohtani threw 10 pitches during this brief bullpen workout, marking a hopeful sign of progress in his recovery.
Despite these advancements, Dodgers officials have consistently stated that Ohtani will not pitch for the remainder of the season, including the postseason. This precautionary stance is due to the nature of his recent elbow surgery and aims to ensure his long-term health and recovery. Nonetheless, his ability to throw off the mound again is a positive development in his rehab process.
Throughout the season, Ohtani has primarily served as a designated hitter while working through his pitching recovery. He has maintained impressive batting statistics with a .292 average, .378 on-base percentage, and .614 slugging percentage, along with 40 home runs, 92 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases. His performance highlights his continued impact on the game despite not being able to pitch this year.
