For the sake of the Nationwide League, MLB and Japan, probably the most vital pitches thrown at Citi Area on Sunday occurred about 4 and a half hours earlier than the Mets defeated the Dodgers 3-1.
For the primary time in practically two years, Shohei Ohtani was on the mound and hitters had been within the batter’s field.
The 2-way celebrity threw 22 pitches in opposition to three Dodgers batters in a major step in his return from September 2023 UCL surgical procedure.
A couple of dozen Dodgers gamers and employees huddled behind a internet by dwelling plate.
Many Dodgers entrance workplace members watched, and quite a few Japanese reporters shot video.
The occasion was momentous sufficient for Jesse Winker, Griffin Canning (who had been an Ohtani teammate with the Angels) and supervisor Carlos Mendoza to camp out within the dwelling dugout to get a glance.
“It’s Shohei Ohtani,” Mendoza mentioned in explaining why he felt the necessity to take trip of his day and watch the dwell batting apply. “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.”
Based on Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts, Ohtani touched 97 mph and threw each sorts of fastballs in addition to sweepers, cutters and splitters.
An entertainer entertained proper from the leap, first going via a mock sticky-substance verify earlier than dealing with off with Hyeseong Kim, who despatched a hard-hit comebacker proper at Ohtani — who stabbed it together with his glove with no subject, loads of “Wow” heard from the Dodgers contingent.
“I’ve gotten so used to seeing him as a hitter,” Roberts mentioned, Ohtani having signed with the Dodgers after present process the surgical procedure. “To see him on the mound just solely as a pitcher, it was different and certainly exciting for all of us.”
There isn’t a agency timetable for a return of the pitcher Ohtani, who is exclusive in his comeback, too: He can not merely go to the minor leagues for a rehab project as a result of he’s among the many recreation’s finest hitters, which he reminded in launching his majors-best 18th homer in opposition to Kodai Senga.
Roberts mentioned Ohtani may throw one other simulated recreation subsequent weekend, however he wouldn’t decide to the subsequent step earlier than seeing how Ohtani recovers.
“The guy’s DHing and leading off tonight,” Mendoza mentioned earlier than the sequence finale. “I simply noticed him throw dwell BP … and what he does offensively, that’s fairly spectacular.
“It’s always special when you’re talking about a superstar like that.”
Brandon Nimmo didn’t play once more after leaving Friday’s recreation early with a stiff neck.
Sean Manaea (indirect pressure) was anticipated to throw a bullpen session Sunday.
If he progresses as hoped, his subsequent step could be dealing with hitters.
Juan Soto stole his seventh base in his 52nd recreation, matching his complete from his 157-game 2024 season.
