Shohei Ohtani gives Dodgers huge boost as $700m star provides positive update on recovery from Tommy John surgery

Shohei Ohtani has given the Dodgers a huge boost in his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

The two-way star, who signed a massive 10-year, $700million deal with LA this past offseason, has been unable to pitch this season after undergoing the elbow procedure in September.

But Ohtani told reporters on Monday that he'd started throwing from 60 feet (the normal length from the mound to home plate) last week, and reached 80 mph.

'Just progressively increasing the distance,' Ohtani said through an interpreter, via ESPN.

'Usually anywhere from 60-70 pitches, in that distance. Just continuing to increase the distance and the pitches, and just seeing where that goes. I'm not quite sure how far I'm going to go out there, but that's the progression.'

Since debuting in MLB in 2018, Ohtani has excelled as both a hitter and pitcher, registering a 3.01 ERA and winning the MVP award in 2021 and 2023.

He's been tremendous at the plate this season with a league-leading .336 average across 53 games as the Dodgers' designated hitter.

Ohtani has also blasted 13 home runs so far.

With the Japanese superstar's help, the Dodgers lead the NL West with a 33-22 record.

Their scheduled game vs. the Mets on Monday was postponed due to rain.