Shohei ohtani for the first time since the elbow surgery, looks opposed to the racket for hours Homer – NBC Los Angeles for hours

Shohei Ohtani took an important step on Sunday to give his pitching debut for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The two-way superstar hit the racket for the first time since the elbow operation and threw a few hours before the start of a leadoff home for the NL West tour of Dodger against the New York Mets 22 pitch.

With dozens of reporters, Ohtani threw in a simulated environment to five batteries – including teammates Hyeseong Kim and Dalton Rushing.

“I thought it was a good first step,” said manager Dave Roberts. “Certainly exciting for all of us.”

Roberts and Pitching coach Mark Prior looked exactly from the field. Before that, the Ohtani Fastball said from 94 to 97 miles per hour, and the right -hander also fired sinks, cutter, two sweepers and a splitter.

“He threw his arsenal,” said Prior. “The stuff is there.”

Ohtani worked from the windup and smiled between the battery and cleverly grabbed a comebacker, struck two rackets and went in a session that lasted about 10 minutes, his last session. Kim put a ball in the right field corner, which would probably have gone for a double or a triple.

“He moved the ball both sides of the plate,” said Prior. “I think he got the unpleasant swings you want to see. You don't expect any perfection the first time. But I thought it was a really good live bp again.”

JT Watkins, the Dodgers game planning and communication coach, also fought so that Ohtani could face a right-handed bat. Watkins turned out once – and later turned his racket after having a walk.

“Obviously we had fun out there,” said Prior. “I think was great today because (ohtani) could keep the mood light, but upset a few real things. He was easy and everything was free and simple, so that's always positive.”

The teammates hopped and roared behind the cage and kept the session carefree. And even Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza came out to watch her.

“He is something special,” said Mendoza. “He is preparing to be the Leadoff -Hitter for the Dodgers and four hours before the first playing field, he thrown 95, 96 (MPH) with a split. He has fun.

About 4 1/2 hours after Ohtani was finished on the hill, he drove Kodai Senga's second place 411 feet into the second deck in the right field for his 18th home run of the season into the second deck. It was his 16th career -leadoff Homer and the fourth this year.

Ohtani recovered on September 19, 2023 from the operation, the second major operation on his right elbow since he arrived from Japan to the major. Since August 23, 2023, he has no longer played in a big league game for the Los Angeles Angels.

“It looked good. He looks healthy,” said Prior. “This is always the main thing with the facial rackers, of which he only feels confident, how his endurance is good and his endurance is good and he has retained his things. So overall I thought from this point of view, it is a success. Pitch movement also looked great.

Roberts speculated that ohtani, who depends on how he feels, will organize a bullpen on Wednesday and another round of live strike training the next weekend. The three-time MVP is only expected in a major League game after the All-Star break in mid-July.

“I still have a long way to go,” said Prior.

Ohtani returned as a striker last year after signing a 10-year contract of $ 700 million with the Dodgers as Free Agent, and won his third MVP price with 54 Homern, 130 RBIs and 59 stolen bases.

After the left shoulder surgery on November 4 to repair a Labrum-Riss experienced during the World Series, Ohtani threw four Bullpens in spring training from February 15th to 25th and then took a break to prepare for the opening day as a Schlagmann. He resumed Bullpen meetings on March 29.

The designated Hitter went with 31 RBIs and a 1.020 ops into the final of the series series on Sunday evening against the Mets .296. He had 11 stolen bases and led the majors with 53 runs for the defending champion World Series Champions.

Ohtani is 38-19 with an ERA of 3.01 and 608 strikeouts in 481 2/3 Innerings in five seasons as Big League Pitcher. He had Tommy John Operation on October 1, 2018 on the right Ellbogen and returned to a hill in the Major League on July 26, 2020, even though he was limited to just two starts during the season changed by pandemic.

Ohtani is one of several top-class Dodger jugs that come back from injuries. Clayton Kershaw gave his Saisondeu debut on May 17, after recovering from the foot and knee operations, but Blake Snell has not recorded since April 2, and Tyler Glasnow since April 27, both due to shoulder infections.