Shohei Ohtani was initially set to pitch on Saturday after his second Tommy John surgery in September 2023. However, a late win by the Dodgers on Friday at Citi Field required the game to be postponed until Sunday.
Usually, a pitcher’s return is tough to predict, but Ohtani’s situation is unique.
Griffin Canning has had a close-up look at Ohtani for quite some time now.
Canning was picked by the Angels in the second round of the 2017 draft out of UCLA.
About five months later, the Angels successfully signed Ohtani.
By the time Canning made his MLB debut in 2019, Ohtani was already living up to the lofty expectations of excelling on both offense and defense.
“I remember the excitement we felt when we got him, especially being in the minors at the time,” Canning said before facing the Dodgers in Queens on Saturday.
Canning recalls Ohtani during spring training in 2018, noting that Ohtani had yet to adapt to the major leagues at that point.
“I think Japanese players might approach spring training a bit differently,” Canning remarked, referring to Ohtani’s struggles in the 2018 Arizona Cactus League. “He arrived here and wasn’t throwing at his usual speed, and his hitting was an adjustment due to changes in his leg kick.”
When Ohtani excelled on the mound and at the plate, he faced challenges, including a subligament injury leading to Tommy John surgery.
He returned to pitching in 2020, snagged the American League MVP awards in both 2021 and 2023, and ranked fourth in the 2022 AL Cy Young voting.
Ohtani inked a ten-year, $700 million deal with the Dodgers before the 2024 season and secured his first National League MVP but hasn’t pitched in a game for the team yet.
He has been participating in bullpen sessions, managing to throw around 50 pitches, including his breaking ball. However, there are no plans for him to join the Dodgers’ rotation until after the All-Star break.
“I’m eager to watch him throw on Sunday,” Canning stated. “I’ll be there.”
Although Canning hasn’t been a teammate with Ohtani in Anaheim for long, he acknowledges the star’s impact on his career.
“Watching him work was crucial,” Canning said, noting that he has excelled as part of the Mets’ rotation since signing in the offseason.
Despite their differing styles, Canning aimed to learn from Ohtani.
“On the pitching front, we discussed how he approaches the lineup and the strategies he uses,” Canning explained. “He offered me advice on pitch grips.”
More than anything, Canning enjoyed watching Ohtani pitch and looks forward to seeing him back on the mound in action.
“It was thrilling to watch him during a game,” Canning remarked, noting Ohtani’s unique game plans for each opponent and how he manipulated his pitches.
Despite the challenges faced by the Angels, including the need for Ohtani and a healthy Mike Trout to excel, there was rarely a more significant presence than Ohtani.
“You become accustomed to seeing him daily,” Canning reflected. “What he could do began to feel normal, but that’s just a testament to how exceptional he is.”
