SEOUL, South Korea — Six months after his second elbow surgery, Shohei Ohtani has been cleared to start a throwing program.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed Monday that Ohtani will start a throwing program later this week.
“I know once we get back to the States, he is going to start his throwing program, which he hasn’t started yet,” Roberts said. “We’ll see how that progression goes.”
In a recent interview, Dr. Neal ElAttrache (who performed Ohtani’s surgery last Sept. 19) said if Ohtani “goes along with the throwing program as we have it scheduled,” he could begin throwing to hitters in late September.
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Asked about that, Roberts said he hadn’t heard about that timeline.
“I think with Shohei anything is possible,” Roberts said. “But if that’s what Dr. Neal said, then he’s the expert.”
Roberts reiterated that the Dodgers do not expect Ohtani to pitch until 2025. But he did acknowledge the possibility that the Dodgers could consider playing Ohtani in the field later this season if his arm has recovered enough.
“If his arm is healthy enough, we’ll have that conversation,” Roberts said. “I do know he’s not gonna pitch this year. But right now, our only focus is him being a designated hitter.”
Ohtani played a total of 8⅓ innings in the outfield during his six seasons with the Angels (all in 2021).
LONG DAY’S WORK
Because of the limited number of position players, a number of the Dodgers’ position players had to play the full game in one or the other exhibition game this week. First baseman Freddie Freeman got the full workload in Sunday’s game (Saturday night PT) against the Kiwoom Heroes – a 14-run, 17-hit rout that had Freeman going to the plate seven times.
“I did not expect that to happen,” Freeman said before Monday’s game against the Korean national team. “When I walked on deck (for the seventh time), I saw (Dodgers GM) Brandon Gomes in the stands. I gave him (a wave), ‘I’m done. I’m tapped out.’
“Seven is a lot. The last time I did that was 2020, COVID camp. I only had five days to get ready (after recovering from COVID). So I was doing that. That was a lot.”
But Freeman admitted “more at-bats is always better” – especially when he has yet to be happy with his swing this spring.
“Everyone else will say I’m hitting .300 (in spring games),” Freeman said. “But for me, I’m real hard on myself and I expect a lot of myself. So, personally, I haven’t liked the way I’ve felt but I’m sure everyone would wave me off.
“For me, there’s just a few things that I’m waiting for and that’s to let a ball travel a little longer, stay with my right side and hit a ball to left field. Not a fly out to left. Just where I can back the ball up and line it there.”
Freeman was out of Tuesday’s game against Team Korea after two plate appearances (a pop-up and a walk) in 4½ innings.
IN THE ROTATION
Right-hander Gavin Stone got the news from Roberts Monday – Stone will be in the Dodgers’ starting rotation when the season starts.
“Doc told me today that I was going to be the fifth starter,” Stone said after pitching 3⅓ hitless innings in the Dodgers’ exhibition against Team Korea on Monday. “I’m incredibly thankful for that and the opportunity that they’re giving me. I’m very appreciative and looking forward to taking advantage of that.”
Stone has been impressive all spring, showing an improved repertoire and stronger body than the one he brought to the major leagues last season.
“It just goes back to the work I put in during the offseason, fine-tuning some stuff, gaining some more control, more confidence, better mound presence and then you count all that together and hopefully it’s a good recipe and we can ride it all year long,” said Stone, who added 10-12 pounds this offseason in hopes of maintaining his strength (and velocity) throughout the season.
Stone posted a 9.00 ERA last season in a rough big-league baptism that also found him guilty of tipping his pitches at times. He dealt with that issue during the offseason as well, switching to a larger glove to help him hide his grip more effectively.
“I think the thing that stands out most with Gavin is the maturity,” Roberts said. “I think when you see a young player you can tell things speed up. Now it just seems like things have slowed down for him.
“As far as on the mound, the misses are the right misses. There’s much more consistent execution and the stuff is holding. His fastball touched 96 (mph) tonight. He held his velocity all night. He worked ahead all night. His changeup was very good. … Just across the board, it’s just good to see him build off last year, take it into the spring and get ready for the season.”
ALSO
The Dodgers officially added veteran reliever Daniel Hudson to the 40-man roster. Hudson signed a minor-league contract during the offseason. To clear a roster spot, they designated infielder Andre Lipcius for assignment. Lipcius was acquired for cash considerations from the Detroit Tigers two weeks ago after they had DFA’d him.