Why is Shohei Ohtani's pitching comeback taking so long?

The Dodgers' superstar might not take the mound until the second half of this MLB season. Here's why.

6 min read

Video Player CoverWASHINGTON, D.C. — Inside an empty stadium, the most popular ballplayer on Earth got to work.

Shohei Ohtani strolled out to the outfield grass at Nationals Park on an abnormally brisk April afternoon. In his wake strode a small army of Los Angeles Dodgers coaches and staff. Ohtani, who two days prior had gone 3-for-4 with a home run and a triple, picked up a ball and began to throw.

It being two hours before first pitch of Wednesday’s game, the yard had yet to open to the public, and so the stands were almost completely vacant. As Ohtani threw, Dodgers manager Dave…