Not even 24 hours after becoming a member of the 40-40 membership with a walk-off grand slam, Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani took the subsequent step in his Tommy John rehab throwing off a mound for the primary time.
Ohtani threw 10 pitches within the Dodgers bullpen at Dodger Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The Dodgers have made it clear that he gained’t be obtainable to pitch this season. Nevertheless, the bullpen session represented continued progress in his return to pitching.
Ohtani grew to become the quickest 40-40 man in baseball historical past on Friday evening in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rays.
The Japanese celebrity achieved the feat in his 126th sport and the workforce’s 129th, the quickest in main league historical past. He grew to become the sixth ever to achieve 40 homers and 40 stolen bases in a season and the primary Dodgers participant to take action.
“It’s actually extra in regards to the profitable,” Ohtani mentioned by means of his interpreter Will Ireton after the sport. “Clearly the file is a part of the method however I feel a very powerful factor is about profitable the sport.”
The earlier mark was set by Alfonso Soriano in Sport 148 for the Washington Nationals in 2006.
“It’s simply storybook — 40-40 on the identical evening,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “I don’t know if that’s ever been executed after which he wins it with a grand slam. He’s positively identified for the dramatics and this was one thing I’ll bear in mind for a very long time.”
Ohtani has 12 stolen bases in August with out being caught which is essentially the most in a month by a Dodger since Rafael Furcal’s 12-for-12 in September and Oct. 2007.
“I do know that he’s taking excellent care of his legs to have the ability to do it and be that dynamic participant,” Roberts mentioned. “He’s doing his homework on opposing pitchers and he’s getting nice jumps. He’s a significantly better base stealer. He’s very environment friendly.”
Whereas the non-public accolades are good, Ohtani’s essential aim is to play within the postseason. He has by no means performed in a playoff sport after spending the primary six seasons of his Main League Baseball profession with the Los Angeles Angels.
“The primary aim is to get to the postseason and win the World Collection,” he mentioned. “Regardless of the end result is for my file, that’s a part of the method.”
Necessary Credit score: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports activities
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