Shohei Ohtani, renowned for his two-way talents in Major League Baseball, continues his recovery from a second Tommy John surgery. Ohtani, who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers this season with a record $700 million contract, has yet to pitch but remains a dominant force at the plate.

Ohtani revealed on Monday that he has begun throwing from 60 feet, reaching speeds of 80 mph, marking significant progress in his rehabilitation. He performs 60-70 throws every other day as he gradually increases his intensity.

Despite his inability to pitch, Ohtani has excelled as a designated hitter. As of Monday, he leads the majors in batting average (.336), and the National League in slugging percentage (.621) and OPS (1.024). Additionally, he has hit 13 home runs and stolen 13 bases, making him an MVP frontrunner. His performance has helped the Dodgers lead the NL West with a 33-22 record.

The team has also navigated off-field issues, including a scandal involving Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara. Ohtani maintains that such distractions do not affect his performance, although he has dealt with minor injuries recently.

Manager Dave Roberts believes Ohtani’s exclusive focus on hitting this season has positively impacted his offensive performance. However, the Dodgers plan to reintegrate him as a pitcher next season, hoping to restore his dual-threat capability.

The Dodgers’ game against the New York Mets on Monday was postponed due to weather and rescheduled as part of a doubleheader on Tuesday.