大谷おおや翔しょう平たいら 二刀流にとうりゅう復帰ふっき早はやまる見通みとおし 監督かんとく“次つぎの調整ちょうせいが最後さいごかも”

Dodgers manager Roberts indicated that Shohei Ohtani, who is continuing his rehabilitation with the aim of returning as a two-way player, may have his next live pitching practice be his final tune-up before returning.

Manager Roberts had previously indicated that the timing of the return would be after the All-Star Game in July, but it now appears that the two-way comeback, the first in two seasons, will happen sooner than expected.

Two years ago, Ohtani underwent his second surgery to repair the ligament in his right elbow. This season, while continuing to play as a designated hitter, he has also been rehabilitating as a pitcher, and on the 10th, he showed steady progress by throwing 44 pitches in a simulated game, assuming three innings.

On the 15th, before the game, Manager Roberts responded to an interview, saying, It seems that the previous live practice put a load on him as if he had played a doubleheader.

He is highly motivated, and his return is just around the corner.

We are making adjustments so that he can use that energy in the match as soon as possible, he said.

On top of that, when asked by a reporter, Will the next one be your last practice in a game-like setting? he replied, It might be, indicating that the fourth simulated game, scheduled for earlier this week, could be his last outing before returning.

The Dodgers have been forced to deal with a difficult pitching situation this season, as a series of injuries have hit their starting pitchers, including Roki Sasaki, leading them to frequently use bullpen days where relief pitchers cover short innings.

Manager Roberts had previously said that Ohtani’s return as a pitcher would be after the All-Star Game on the 15th of next month, but said, “Given the current situation of the team, we would really appreciate it if Shohei could pitch even just one or two innings.”

He said, Right now, Im feeling positive about heading in that direction, indicating that his return to being a two-way player for the first time in two seasons is likely to happen sooner than expected.