For the sake of the National League, MLB and Japan, the most significant pitches thrown at Citi Field on Sunday occurred about four and a half hours before the Mets defeated the Dodgers 3-1.
For the first time in nearly two years, Shohei Ohtani was on the mound and hitters were in the batter’s box.
The two-way superstar threw 22 pitches against three Dodgers batters in a significant step in his return from September 2023 UCL surgery.
About a dozen Dodgers players and staff huddled behind a net by home plate.
Many Dodgers front office members watched, and numerous Japanese reporters shot video.
The event was momentous enough for Jesse Winker, Griffin Canning (who had been an Ohtani teammate with the Angels) and manager Carlos Mendoza to camp out in the home dugout to get a look.
“It’s Shohei Ohtani,” Mendoza said in explaining why he felt the need to take time out of his day and watch the live batting practice. “We got an opportunity to watch him. Hopefully, I get to watch him in real games — that means we’re playing against them in October.”
According to Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Ohtani touched 97 mph and threw both kinds of fastballs as well as sweepers, cutters and splitters.
An entertainer entertained right from the jump, first going through a mock sticky-substance check before facing off with Hyeseong Kim, who sent a hard-hit comebacker right at Ohtani — who stabbed it with his glove with no issue, plenty of “Wow” heard from the Dodgers contingent.
“I’ve gotten so used to seeing him as a hitter,” Roberts said, Ohtani having signed with the Dodgers after undergoing the surgery. “To see him on the mound just solely as a pitcher, it was different and certainly exciting for all of us.”
There is no firm timetable for a return of the pitcher Ohtani, who is unique in his comeback, too: He cannot simply go to the minor leagues for a rehab assignment because he is among the game’s best hitters, which he reminded in launching his majors-best 18th homer against Kodai Senga.
Roberts said Ohtani could throw another simulated game next weekend, but he would not commit to the next step before seeing how Ohtani recovers.
“The guy’s DHing and leading off tonight,” Mendoza said before the series finale. “I just saw him throw live BP … and what he does offensively, that’s pretty impressive.
“It’s always special when you’re talking about a superstar like that.”
Brandon Nimmo did not play again after leaving Friday’s game early with a stiff neck.
Sean Manaea (oblique strain) was expected to throw a bullpen session Sunday.
If he progresses as hoped, his next step would be facing hitters.
Juan Soto stole his seventh base in his 52nd game, matching his total from his 157-game 2024 season.
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