Shohei Ohtani DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Shohei Ohtani (elbow) is making enough progress in his recovery from 2023 Tommy John surgery that he could pitch sooner than expected, manager Dave Roberts announced. Roberts said that the chances of Ohtani pitching before his post-All-Star break timeline are "north of zero," per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Both Roberts and pitching coach Mark Prior came away encouraged from Ohtani's three-inning simulated game on Tuesday. Ohtani hasn't taken a major league mound since August 2023, but the two-way superstar has continued to make an enormous impact as a hitter. The Los Angeles Times' Jack Harris reported on Tuesday that Ohtani threw 44 pitches over three simulated innings, including 23 in his last inning, before the game at Petco Park against the Padres. He allowed a ground-ball single, one walk and had six strikeouts while inducing 15 total whiffs against a few minor-league hitters.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (foot) is in the starting lineup ahead of Monday's game against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani appears to be fine after getting hit in the foot by a pitch on Sunday. It didn't appear to be a significant issue, but also wouldn't be shocking to see the Dodgers rest their superstar after something like that. Ohtani will serve as the designated hitter and bat leadoff against right-hander Nick Pivetta on Monday. Fantasy managers should make sure to have Ohtani in their lineups.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) will have his live bullpen session pushed back until Monday. Ohtani was supposed to throw this weekend, but with rain in the forecast the Dodgers have decided to wait until Monday. The right-hander is slowly getting closer to getting back on the mound for the Dodgers. The hope is that Ohtani can contribute on the mound at some point in the second half of the season. The Dodgers aren't going to rush back Ohtani, so fantasy managers will just need to continue waiting patiently.

Los Angeles Dodgers two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani (elbow) threw a live batting practice session on Saturday. This was the second time that Ohtani has faced live hitters this month. He continues to make progress, but there's still more work to do before he's ready to return to the mound. The Dodgers haven't given much of a timetable for Ohtani. The hope is that he'll be able to help as a pitcher in the second half, but the Dodgers aren't going to rush it. Fantasy managers who have Ohtani as a pitcher will hopefully get something out of him in the second half of the season.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani kept on mashing on Friday, smacking a pair of solo home runs in an 8-5 victory over the New York Yankees. Ohtani hit both his homers off Yankees ace Max Fried, who was dealt his first loss of the season. The 30-year-old phenom now has a stunning 15 home runs in May, tying his career-high for a single month. For the season, Ohtani has a .294 AVG, 1.064 OPS, 61 runs, 22 homers, 37 RBI, and 11 steals. He leads the league in both homers and runs scored. If there were any doubts about Ohtani's status as the top player in fantasy after a "slow" April, they have been silenced.