An opposing player doesn’t typically draw a crowd a few hours before a game, but that’s exactly what happened Sunday afternoon at Citi Field when Shohei Ohtani threw to hitters for the first time in nearly two years.
After undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in 2023, Ohtani, MLB’s two-way phenom, has been limited to only a DH role, though it feels strange to use the word limited in any context about Ohtani. There has been nothing limited about the three-time MVP’s production at the plate, with the slugger even adding a new skill to his set last season by stealing 59 bases.
It’s not often that even the most elite players are able to add a new club to their bags like that, but Ohtani isn’t like any other player in the world.
His uniqueness and his greatness is why Carlos Mendoza ventured into the dugout while baseball’s unicorn was throwing live batting practice. The Mets manager, along with his bench coach, John Gibbons, outfielder Jesse Winker and Ohtani’s former Angels teammate Griffin Canning watched him throw 22 pitches over five plate appearances to three batters hours before the Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their three-game series in New York.
“It’s Shohei Ohtani,” Mendoza said. “If you get an opportunity to watch him, you take it.”
It was the most significant step yet in his rehab. Ohtani threw nearly all of his pitches, with his fastball velocity sitting 94-95 and topping out at 97. He also threw sinkers, cutters, sweepers and at least one splitter before going through his pregame hitting routine in preparation for batting leadoff against his fellow Japanese countryman, Mets right-hander Kodai Senga.
Mendoza marveled at the way he was able to manage the workload.
“It’s special when you’re talking about a superstar like that,” Mendoza said. “He’s getting ready to be the leadoff hitter for the Dodgers in four hours, and he’s throwing 95-96 with the split…
“He’s having fun and that’s what the game needs is players like that. It’s just fun to be out there and watch him do his thing.”
Ohtani has yet to throw a pitch in a Dodgers uniform. The defending World Series champs could use his arm given all of the pitching injuries they’re forced to contend with right now, but the team is not ready to commit to a firm timeline for his return to the mound. This was his second elbow surgery since 2019, so the Dodgers are being conservative with his rehab. Ohtani will face hitters several more times before he’s able to get back on a mound in a game.
The club may also have to figure out how to get him up to game speed on the mound without a rehab assignment. While the other teams in the NL West might like to avoid facing Ohtani, the Dodgers won’t want to go without their leadoff hitter and the focal point of their lineup for a month while he throws in minor league games.
The Mets will see the Dodgers again soon, starting a four-game series in Los Angeles on June 2. But if they see them again in the playoffs, they may have to face the two-way version of Ohtani.
“Hopefully, I get to watch him in real games,” Mendoza said. “That means we’re playing against them in October.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Third baseman Mark Vientos returned to the lineup Sunday after dealing with a sore abdominal muscle in the first two games of the series. Left fielder Brandon Nimmo was out of action once again with a sore neck. He did not do any baseball activities Saturday, and Mendoza was unsure of his status before game time. Jeff McNeil took his spot in the outfield.
Left-hander Sean Manaea threw a bullpen Sunday at Citi Field, and will progress to facing hitters next.
