The Second World of Baseball Genius on the verge of Resurrection

Japan's "Sports Hochi" said on the 27th (Korea time), "Coach Dave Roberts admitted that Shohei Ohtani, who had surgery on his right elbow in September last year, will meet with batters in a real form this season."

Ohtani took the mound as a starting pitcher in the first game of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds in August last year when he was playing for the Los Angeles Angels. However, Ohtani voluntarily left the mound after playing only one ⅓ inning. Ohtani, who felt something wrong with his body while pitching in the second inning, sent a signal to the dugout and experienced a situation where he went down the mound without playing until the end.

Ohtani conducted a basic checkup before the second game of the doubleheader, and the results confirmed that he had ruptured ligaments in his right elbow. It was truly shocking news. Nevertheless, Ohtani continued to play the season as a batter, but did not complete the season. As he was away from the batter's box due to a ruptured elbow ligament and a side injury, he decided to end the season and undergo surgery quickly when the American League MVP was confirmed.

When the news broke that Ohtani's elbow ligament was ruptured, local media in the U.S. predicted that it would have a huge impact on Ohtani's ransom as he was about to acquire a free agent (FA) qualification. However, Ohtani's "value" remained unchanged. Ohtani acquired the world's largest contract of 700 million U.S. dollars for 10 years and is now stepping up efforts to return to the mound, proving what can happen when a baseball genius focuses on one thing.

Ohtani, who underwent elbow surgery in September last year, resumed playing catch after catching the ball 215 days after getting on the operating table in March. Initially, the Dodgers prepared Ohtani's outfielder transformation to use the designated hitter's slot more flexibly, but now all scenarios for the fielder transformation are gone as he has performed tremendously, including making the 6th 40th home run and 40 steal a minimum game in Major League history. Ohtani is only focusing on returning to the mound.

Ohtani started the build-up by gradually increasing the distance and number of catches in March, and on August 14, he put the catcher on the flat ground and sprayed the ball. The maximum speed at the time was 89 miles (143 kilometers). Then, he played catch for two consecutive days without resting for the first time since the surgery on the 20th, and immediately moved to the bullpen and sprayed 10 pitches while keeping the catcher on the mound. It was the first time in a year that Ohtani stepped on the pitching board and stood on the mound after a game against Cincinnati last year.

In the meantime, manager Dave Roberts has revealed Ohtani's plan for his build-up. In an interview with reporters ahead of the game against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, Roberts said, "I will." When asked if Ohtani will face off against a batter before the end of the season, he said, "That's a big step forward from Ohtani. I threw fastballs and other pitching models," and added, "I will continue to lay the foundation for next year."

Dr. Neal Elatrice, who conducted Ohtani's elbow surgery in March, said if his rehabilitation goes smoothly, Ohtani will be able to take the mound in late September. Considering that Ohtani threw the ball out of the bullpen ahead of September, it is going according to the expected scenario. Therefore, if there are no major variables, he is expected to face batters on the mound in late September or early October, as Dr. Elatrice expected.

Just like this year's Seoul Series, the opening game of the 2025 Major League season will be held not in the U.S., but in the Tokyo Series in Japan. The opening matchup will be between the Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs. Chances are rising that Shota Imanaga, who has been reborn as the ace between pitchers Ohtani and the Cubs, will become a reality.

BY: 안전놀이터