Dodgers manager Dave Roberts firmly stated that Shohei Ohtani's (31) return as a pitcher will be as a starting pitcher.

Japanese media Sponichi Annex reported on the 16th (local time) that "Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reaffirmed that he plans to use Shohei Ohtani as a starting pitcher upon his return to pitching."

Ohtani is Major League Baseball's top superstar, with a batting record of 953 hits, 248 home runs, 606 RBIs, 628 runs, and 156 stolen bases over 939 games, with an OPS of .951. As the first player to succeed in both pitching and hitting since Babe Ruth, he has generated excitement among fans. He boasts a prestigious awards history, including the American League Rookie of the Year in 2018, American League MVP in 2021, American League MVP in 2023, and National League MVP in 2024.

However, Ohtani has not appeared in a Major League game since August 24, 2023, against Cincinnati due to elbow surgery in September 2023. The original plan was to return as a pitcher earlier this year, but after injuring his left shoulder while stealing a base in Game 2 of last year's World Series and requiring surgery, his return to pitching has been delayed, preventing him from appearing in official games.

After the Tokyo Series appearance in March was canceled, Ohtani's return as a pitcher has been slower than expected. He must continue to play as a hitter throughout the season, which prevents him from focusing entirely on his return as a pitcher. Due to this, projections for a comeback in the second half of the season were dominant, but with rapid live pitching sessions, the possibility of a return in the first half of the season is increasing.

If Ohtani returns not as a starting pitcher but as a relief pitcher, the return to pitching could be much quicker. Unlike starting pitchers who need to build up stamina to handle long innings, relief pitchers can come onto the mound if they can pitch efficiently in shorter outings. This could significantly reduce the physical burden.

However, when asked about the possibility of using Ohtani as a relief pitcher in light of Enrique Hernandez's appearance on the mound after a high-scoring game on the 15th, manager Roberts stated, "I don't think there's a possibility. When Shohei pitches, it will be as a starting pitcher."

Ohtani, who threw a fastball at a maximum speed of 97 miles per hour (156.1 km) in his first live appearance, is quickly elevating his pitching pace. In his third live pitching session on the 11th, he faced 11 batters and recorded six strikeouts, showcasing his impressive velocity. As many fans await Ohtani's appearance, attention is focused on whether he can take the mound before the All-Star Game.

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