Shohei Ohtani’s Return Sparks Excitement in Fantasy Baseball

Shohei Ohtani’s long-anticipated return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers after Tommy John surgery is stirring up the baseball world. In his first start, the two-way superstar pitched just one inning, showing flashes of brilliance but also revealing some rough edges.

Fans, fantasy managers, and the Dodgers are all hopeful about Ohtani’s progress. Still, patience is going to matter as he works his way back to top form.

Shohei Ohtani’s First Start Back: A Closer Look

After months of waiting, Ohtani finally returned and threw 28 pitches over a single inning. He gave up 1 earned run on 2 hits, which isn’t going to blow anyone away on the stat sheet.

But honestly, the way he looked out there—especially his velocity and pitch mix—was encouraging. Fans looking for that dominant Ohtani saw glimpses of what he might be as he rebuilds his command and stamina.

Velocity to Impress: A Return to Form

One of the most exciting parts of Ohtani’s outing was his fastball velocity. He sat at a lively 99 mph and even touched 100 mph, which says a lot about how his arm feels post-surgery.

His sweeper, used about 36% of the time, averaged 86-87 mph. It really did look a lot like the nasty stuff he threw before the injury.

This mix is great news for the Dodgers and fantasy managers hoping for a full return. Fastball velocity is usually a good sign after Tommy John, and Ohtani seems to be ticking that box.

Command Still a Work in Progress

Velocity aside, Ohtani’s command is still coming together. He missed spots, especially with fastballs down and in, which he’ll need to clean up.

The splitter—a pitch that’s given hitters nightmares before—showed up only once and wasn’t well executed. He also skipped the cutter, which might show up more as he gets comfortable and stretches out his pitch count.

Like most pitchers coming back from Tommy John, Ohtani will probably sharpen his command with more innings. He had some bad luck too, like a hit off a low sinker and a wild pitch, which led to that earned run.

Fantasy Implications: Patience Will Be Key

For fantasy baseball managers, Ohtani’s slow ramp-up is tricky. In leagues where he’s split between hitter and pitcher, you’ll need to wait it out.

The Dodgers aren’t rushing him, and they’re clearly trying to protect his value at the plate. If you’re hoping for a full starter’s workload, you might need to hang on until the All-Star break.

Once he’s back to full strength, his upside is massive. Even if he’s not racking up pitching stats right now, he’s absolutely worth stashing for the long haul.

Dodgers’ Strategy: Easing Ohtani Back

The Dodgers are playing it safe and smart with Ohtani. They’re not forcing him into a full starter’s role right away, which gives him space to work on his mechanics and command.

Given how much they’ve invested in his unique talent, a steady approach makes sense. It’s about protecting both his future and the team’s bigger ambitions.

Conclusion: Promising Signs Amid Caution

Ohtani’s first game back on the mound really shows some hope, but let’s be honest—it’s going to take time. His velocity and pitch mix look close to what we saw before his injury.

Still, he needs to sharpen his command and build up his stamina again. Fans and fantasy managers should feel good about his progress, but maybe don’t expect fireworks right away.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Fantasy Baseball SP Roundup 6/16: Welcome Back To The Shohei Ohtani