Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani throws from a mound for the first time since his elbow surgery last fall

Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani throws from a mound for the first time since his elbow surgery last fall

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Sunday, August 25, 2024, 02:25 am

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LOS ANGELES — Shohei Ohtani threw from the mound for the first time Saturday since undergoing elbow surgery last year that kept the Dodgers superstar from pitching this season.

Ohtani got his throwing arm back in shape while making history with his bat, hitting 40 home runs with a two-out grand slam in the ninth inning and 40 stolen bases with a fourth-inning sweep on Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

Shohei Ohtani

Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani works out before a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in Los Angeles on Saturday, August 24, 2024.

AP Photo/Ashley Landis

The Japanese sensation became the fastest player in Major League history to join the 40-40 club as its sixth member, doing so in his 126th game of the season.

Ohtani threw 10 pitches in the bullpen at Dodger Stadium, with a horde of media following him closely. He underwent surgery last September after injuring his elbow while playing for the Los Angeles Angels. Three months later, he joined the Dodgers and signed a 10-year, $700 million contract.

The team has stressed that Ohtani will not pitch at all this season, including in the postseason.

Ohtani has played as a designated hitter this season.

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