Oh, you thought the Los Angeles Dodgers had already cornered the market on world-class talent, didn’t you? After a 2024 World Series win and some of the boldest offseason moves in MLB history, the Dodgers are ready to do it again. Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Tanner Scott, Kirby Yates, Hyeseong Kim, Michael Conforto — yes, you name it, they’ve added them all. But let’s face it, there’s one name that still makes everyone sit up straight and take notice: Shohei Ohtani.

Despite the fact that the Dodgers have assembled a roster so stacked it makes other teams question their entire existence, Ohtani is the player that has fans — and opponents — buzzing like never before. Sure, his massive 2023 MVP season might seem like it’s in the rearview mirror, but when Ohtani takes the mound, he’s more than just a pitcher or hitter. He’s a spectacle.

So, when Ohtani hit 92-94 mph during a recent 14-pitch bullpen session, the Dodgers and their fans collectively exhaled — and immediately began to wonder: Is this a sign of bigger things to come, or just another minor tease?

Let’s dive into the bullpen drama that has already sparked a whirlwind of excitement… and some serious controversy.

Ohtani’s First Bullpen Session: A Glimpse of Magic

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of Ohtani’s bullpen session, let’s break down what really happened. The man threw a measly 14 pitches — 14. That’s less than your average batter’s warmup session. Yet, for some reason, this 14-pitch bullpen has caused every baseball fan (and even non-fans) to light up social media and scream at their televisions.

Sure, you could argue that 14 pitches don’t exactly qualify as a full workout. But this was no ordinary bullpen. Ohtani, who’s recovering from elbow surgery, came out firing two-seam and four-seam fastballs that clocked in at 92-94 mph. Just pause for a moment to let that sink in. The man didn’t pitch in 2024, took the whole year to recover, and then on his first throw back, bang. 92-94 mph. And this wasn’t even his full effort. So yeah, Dodgers fans are licking their lips right about now.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, trying to temper excitement without killing it, called the session “great for a first day.” Okay, sure, Dave. But we all know that Ohtani’s “first day” is something far more electric than most pitchers’ peak performances. Roberts also commented that Ohtani was focusing on his two-seamer’s movement and depth, and that the two were in sync with the metrics. It’s like Ohtani has this mystical connection with his pitches. Metrics? Check. Gut instinct? Check. Magic? Double-check.

Will Ohtani’s Return Be A Game-Changer or Just a False Hope?

Now, here’s where the plot thickens. Despite this jaw-dropping bullpen session, Ohtani will not be ready to pitch for the Dodgers until May. Yeah, you read that right. May. That’s a two-month wait for Ohtani to finally suit up on the mound in a real game — assuming he’s even ready by then. Think about it: The Dodgers just signed Blake Snell, and now they’re stuck sitting on their hands waiting for Ohtani to slowly ramp up.

Roberts, ever the optimist, has suggested Ohtani could face hitters by the end of spring camp, and there’s even a chance he could pitch before the team heads to Japan for a series against the Chicago Cubs. But is that really enough to quell the hunger of Dodgers fans who’ve been salivating over the possibility of Ohtani hitting the mound as early as possible?

Sure, Ohtani is an otherworldly talent, but are we really expected to wait around like this? The anticipation is killing us. He’s coming off a 2023 where he was already crowned MLB’s first 50-50 player, and now we’re stuck watching him work his way back from an injury while the Dodgers juggle a ridiculous array of pitchers, including Snell, Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow, who might just fill that rotation spot until Ohtani is good to go.

The Dodgers’ Payroll: Will It All Be Worth It?

Let’s be honest: with a $379 million payroll — the largest in MLB history — the Dodgers should be taking their time to make sure Ohtani is 100% before they throw him into the fray. But at what cost? What are we really doing here? Is this a slow burn genius strategy, or just another example of the Dodgers overpromising and underdelivering?

Adding Snell and Sasaki to the rotation certainly helps mitigate the loss of Ohtani in the early months, but nothing truly replicates Ohtani’s impact. He’s more than just a pitcher, more than just a hitter. He’s the closest thing to a real-life superhero we’ve got. And right now, it feels like the Dodgers are teasing us with the thought of him pitching, but are they really going to sit on the sidelines until May? That’s two full months of watching Snell and the rest of the rotation carry the weight, while we wait for the greatest spectacle in baseball to fully return.

The $379 Million Question: Can the Dodgers Really Afford to Wait?

A payroll that huge brings with it a huge expectation. This isn’t just about winning another championship; it’s about making sure every move has maximum impact. The Dodgers have added a wealth of talent this offseason, but their real ace in the hole is — and always has been — Ohtani. And fans, like a pack of hungry wolves, are waiting for the meat to drop.

Yet here we are, stuck in a perpetual state of limbo while Ohtani gets his arm back in shape. If the Dodgers are going to have another magical season, they can’t afford to waste even a few weeks. But hey, it’s only March, and it’s only a few months, right? Wrong. Every single day Ohtani isn’t pitching feels like the Dodgers are wasting their time. The idea that a 14-pitch bullpen session has created this much chaos is enough to make you laugh, but here we are.

Conclusion: A Painful Wait or Brilliant Strategy?

Ultimately, Ohtani’s return — and the Dodgers’ hopes for his dominance in 2025 — hinges on one thing: patience. Will it be a painful waiting game for Ohtani’s fans? Absolutely. Is it worth the pain in the end? Probably. There’s a very real chance that this delay is going to be nothing more than a tiny bump in an otherwise smooth road to greatness for the Dodgers.

But don’t you dare pretend you’re not annoyed. You’ve been waiting for Ohtani’s return, and this slow march toward May feels like a cruel joke. Yet when he finally takes the mound — maybe, just maybe — that 92-94 mph fastball will seem worth the wait.

In the meantime, Dodgers fans are left chewing on the thought of Ohtani’s potential — and wondering just how much longer they can stand the suspense.